StopTheCut.org

The Economist - Female genital cutting: Ending a brutal practice

FOR a group dedicated to the health and well-being of children to advocate the cutting of girls’ genitals seems inconceivable. But the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), in a review of its policy on the practice known as female circumcision, did tentatively ask if, in order to avoid the most dangerous behaviour, doctors should be allowed to perform some kind of “ritual cut” in the clitoral skin. The academy likened it to ear-piercing and said that it might satisfy the cultural requirements of people wedded to the practice.

After a chorus of condemnation the AAP swiftly released a new statement, anxiously stressing that it does not endorse “clitoral nicks”. Judith Palfrey, the group’s president, says there is absolutely no case for it and that doctors must oppose all forms of genital cutting on girls. The academy’s British and Australian counterparts, and the UN, have voiced a similar position.

Cutting girls’ genitals is still common in 28 mostly African countries and among their migrants abroad. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 100m-140m women have been subject to the practice and thinks that some 3m girls are at risk each year of one of four forms of cutting, ranging from the symbolic to life-ruining. In countries such as Somalia, Egypt and Guinea, over 95% of women have undergone some version of it.

Some see it as a matter of hygiene, others as a rite of passage into womanhood. Its Muslim, Christian and animist defenders all cite religious grounds. Where the practice is a prerequisite for marriage, economic factors play a role too.

Link to article

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Doctors Playing God With Children’s Sex

It’s a boy! It’s a girl! But what happens when life doesn’t fit in with greeting cards and the defining moment of childbirth becomes a bewildering puzzle?

Swiss intersex activist Daniela Truffer is spearheading a campaign to stop genital surgery and hormone treatment on children born with indeterminate sexual organs.

Truffer argues that affected individuals should be given the time to grow up and decide for themselves whether they wish to become male or female or remain in-between.

“Forced surgery can not be the answer,” she said, quoting medical studies that reveal poor outcomes and show that most patients suffer a lifetime of frustration and regret.

“These surgeries are painful and irreversible and most likely to reduce or remove sexual feeling. Non-consented cosmetic surgeries violate the right to physical integrity and self-determination. It’s a human rights issue,” Truffer told swissinfo.ch.

Link to the original article in English.

Stopthecut.org supports Daniela Truffer’s efforts to end forced genital surgery of children. Children should be protected, and should never be subjected to unnecessary surgery.

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Why Are We Still Cutting Our Sons?

Thoughtful blog on Bugs, Boys and Boo Boos

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Dutch doctors’ group calls for circumcision ban

Link to Reuters Article
Press release

‘Violation of physical integrity’

Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) to discourage non-therapeutic circumcision of
male minors

Utrecht, 27 May 2010 – The official standpoint of KNMG and other related
medical/scientific organisations is that non-therapeutic circumcision of male minors is a
violation of children’s rights to autonomy and physical integrity. KNMG is urging a strong policy of deterrence.

The reason for the adoption of an official standpoint regarding this matter is the increasing emphasis on the protection of children’s rights. Contrary to popular belief, circumcision can also cause complications – bleeding, infection, urethral stricture and panic attacks are particularly common. Full or partial penile amputations have also been reported as a consequence of complications.

KNMG is calling upon doctors to actively and insistently inform parents who are considering the procedure of the absence of medical benefits and the danger of complications. “The rule is: do not operate on healthy children”, says Arie Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman, chairman of the KNMG. “It is an unfortunate fact that any surgical procedure can cause complications. Doctors accept this to a certain extent because there are medical reasons for the procedure. However, no complications can be justified that occur as the result of an operation that is medically unnecessary.”

Children’s rights
KNMG regards the non-therapeutic circumcision of male minors as a violation of physical integrity, a constitutional right that protects individuals against unwanted internal or external physical modifications. According to the KNMG, minors should only be subjected to medical procedures in the event of illness or abnormalities, or if a convincing case can be made that the procedure is in the interests of the child (such as vaccination).

Dialogue
The KNMG sees good reasons for the statutory prohibition of non-therapeutic circumcision of male minors, but fears that the procedure will then be driven underground, leading to an increase in the number of complications.

The Medical Association is aware that the practice of circumcision of male minors has deep religious, symbolic and cultural meaning. The KNMG respects this, and is calling for dialogue among medical associations, experts and the relevant religious groups.

Wide support
The following medical and scientific organisations officially support the standpoint of the KNMG: the Dutch Urological Association (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Urologie), the Dutch College of General Practitioners (Het Nederlands Huisartsengenootschap), the Dutch Paediatric Surgery Association (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Kinderchirurgie), the Dutch Plastic Surgery Association (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Plastische Chirurgie), the Association of Surgeons of the Netherlands (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Heelkunde) and the Dutch Paediatric Association (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Kindergeneeskunde).

A survey among a representative sample of KNMG members recently showed that individual doctors widely support the above standpoint.

Note to editorial staff

The complete standpoint of the KNMG, including a background study, the results of the
members’ poll and a preamble, are available in English at www.knmg.nl/jongensbesnijdenis.

For more information, please contact the KNMG communications department/Sander Hofman T:
+31 (0)30 282 38 31 E: s.hofman@fed.knmg.nl

The Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) is the professional organization that represents more than 46.000 physicians and students in the Netherlands. The KNMG is the federation of medical practitioners’ professional associations: the National Association of salaried Doctors (LAD), the National Association of General Practitioners (LHV), the Dutch Association for occupational Health (NVAB), the Dutch Association of Insurance Medicine (NVVG), the Dutch Order of Medical Specialists (Orde) and Elderly care physicians (Verenso). www.knmg.nl