FGM and MGM a Comparison

Is there a double standard?

Many people say it’s wrong to compare Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Male Genital Mutilation (MGM) aka circumcision and that it trivializes it.

Because, when it is performed on females there is no medical need for it, it won’t prevent anything unlike male circumcision (which is a false claim). Let’s not forget that there were once upheld claims that FGM had many benefits such as improved hygiene.

There are 4 degrees of FGM that are done to women and 4 types of MGM, but only one form of MGM is most commonly done to men. (2 if you include subincision but this is not common practice for most countries). This being circumcision, removal of the foreskin.
The degrees of FGM done to women are:

  • Type I — Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce (clitoridectomy).
    When it is important to distinguish between the major variations of Type I mutilation, the following subdivisions are proposed:

    • Type Ia, removal of the clitoral hood or prepuce only;
    • Type Ib, removal of the clitoris with the prepuce.
  • Type II — Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (excision).
    When it is important to distinguish between the major variations that have been documented, the following subdivisions are proposed:

    • Type IIa, removal of the labia minora only;
    • Type IIb, partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora;
    • Type IIc, partial or total removal of the clitoris, the labia minora and the labia majora.
      Note also that, in French, the term ‘excision’ is often used as a general term covering all types of female genital mutilation.
  • Type III — Narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision of the clitoris (infibulation).
    • Type IIIa, removal and apposition of the labia minora;
    • Type IIIb, removal and apposition of the labia majora.
  • Type IV — All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, for example: pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization.1

For this article we will use the most common degree2, Type I of FGM (type II is also common). Not only because it is most common but also as we believe for it to be the closest one in degree of what is removed and damage caused as a result of MGM.

When Type I of FGM is performed they partially or totally remove the clitoris also known as the prepuce. The female clitoris is said to have approximately 8,000 nerve endings. When MGM (circumcision) is performed the male foreskin is removed, the male foreskin has approximately 20,000 nerve endings. When the foreskin/prepuce is removed the nerves are removed with it, therefore decreasing the feeling in the genitalia of both sexes.

Below is a comparison of why these procedures are done and the complications associated with them.

Reasons FGM is performed:

·         To deter her from fidelity

·         Sociological reasons

·         Cultural heritage and as a rite of passage

·         Religious reasons

·         Hygiene

·         Aesthetic reasons

 

Reasons MGM is performed:

·         Reduce or stop Masturbation

·         Sociological reasons

·         Cultural heritage and as a rite of passage

·         Religious reasons

·         Hygiene

·         Aesthetic reasons

 

Complications of FGM:

·         Severe pain

·         Shock

·         Hemorrhage

·         Infection

·         Urine retention

·         Injury

·         Keloid scar formation

·         Damage to the urethra resulting in urinary incontinence

·         Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)

·         Sexual dysfunction

·         Difficulty in urinating

·         Bladder and urinary tract infections

·         Death3

Complications of MGM:

·         Severe pain

·         Shock

·         Hemorrhage

·         Infection

·         Urine retention

·         Injury

·         Keloid scar formation

·         Damage to the urethra resulting in urinary incontinence

·         Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)

·         Sexual dysfunction

·         Difficulty in urinating

·         Bladder and urinary tract infections

·         Death3

 

Would you not now say that the idea that FGM is wrong but MGM is acceptable, is morally and ethically wrong? Could it be considered sexist to say that women’s bodies or more so genitals are protected by law but a male’s body and genitalia isn’t?… It is by far a double standard.

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References

1 http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/overview/en/

2 http://www.unfpa.org/resources/promoting-gender-equality

3 http://www.childinfo.org/files/fgmc_WHOUNICEFJointdeclaration1997.pdf