FGM AND CIRCUMCISION

I fear that the differences between FGM and circumcision are being misunderstood.

125 million girls women have suffered this in over 27 countries and it takes place as a cultural ritual on girls weeks old up to puberty with most girls cut before the age of 5.

Circumcision is a similar abuse of boys. It can prove psychologically damaging and the loss of skin over the glans of the penis causes a loss of sensation that can intrude upon effective and pleasurable sexual intercourse.

Both are performed as a cultural ritual, except one is supported by very wealthy and influential world financiers and political players and the other is the practice of often poor and more powerless African nations. It is tempting to pursue the poor practitioners and be deluded by the wealthy ones.

Both are acts of child abuse. Both are motivated by poor education and religious and cultural superstitious practices that our enlightened world should be able to challenge.