Petition against female genital mutilation 10 February 2014 at 9:56PM in Campaigns corner 3 replies 1.3K views

ampersand

Please sign this petition:
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/uk-government-enforce-the-uk-law-which-forbids-fgm-female-genital-so-called-cutting

No discussion - just urging everyone to sign and then remind others to do so,
PLEASE.

jamesd

Genital mutilation of both major genders* should be banned until adulthood.

It's estimated that 117 male children die each year from male genital mutilation in the United States and that this is one in 77 of all deaths in this age group.

*intersex is the main exception I'm thinking of

terra_ferma

jamesd wrote: »

Genital mutilation of both major genders* should be banned until adulthood.

It's estimated that 117 male children die each year from male genital mutilation in the United States and that this is one in 77 of all deaths in this age group.

*intersex is the main exception I'm thinking of

Interesting facts, do you have figures for the UK? I expect the number of deaths will be much smaller because circumcision is not as widespread as is in the USA.

However they are two different issues. Female genital mutilation is against the law, male circumcision isn't so they need totally different actions, enforcement of current legislation v. lobbying to change current legislation.
Worth starting your own petition if you feel strongly about it, I'll sign yours as well.

jamesd

Female was only made illegal in the UK in 1985, with it being criminal to take someone out of the UK for it since 2003.

The same reasons - culture, tradition and religion - are used for both genders. Things are just further along on the female side, though the dropping male rate in the UK even without civil (say an initial £10,000 fine paid if the child objects when an adult) or criminal penalties is progress.

Sadly, 'Approaching shoppers with the petition supporting FGM, she told them she wanted to protect her “culture, traditions and rights”. ... In only 30 minutes 19 people signed it with some saying they believed FGM was wrong but because it was part of Ms Hussein’s culture they would add their names. Only one person refused to sign.'

Sorry, I don't know of the death or serious complication rates in the UK. With the rate now down to 8.5% in the UK compared to 75.5% in the US and the lower population the absolute number will be lower even if the death rate from it is the same.