FGM and human rights campaigners have worked hard to bring FGM in to the public view, but has this left equality behind as male circumcision is ignored? We recently wrote to the Scottish Equalities and Human Rights committee to express our concern.
Scotland’s FGM Laws
According to the the Scottish Parliament, they are currently seeking input from the public on the topic of FGM. You can read the full article here. Here is an extract from the article:
‘The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is starting its detailed scrutiny of plans to enhance protections for women and girls who have suffered or who are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). The committee will be hearing directly from communities and individuals affected by FGM through its outreach work, as well as from officials who will be tasked with administering any changes. It has also today launched a general call for views on the issue.’
You can find the Equalities and Human Rights Committee’s website here. There is also a current meeting agenda available to view.
We welcome the Scottish parliament opening dialogue to the public regarding views on FGM and children’s rights, but it is disappointing that it only focuses on FGM. It does not go all the way to protecting both girls and boys. The reasoning behind both is the same as they can both be harmful physically and psychologically, both are routinely practiced out in cultural contexts. Both contradict the rights of the child by taking away the autonomy of the child.
Autonomy & Culture
Our database is filled with correspondence from men who have completely rejected their culture due to the violation they have felt. Others have continued to embrace their culture whilst still wishing they had been given the autonomy to make their own decisions. Regardless of how they react, they are all united in rejecting the act of circumcision specifically. Considering this is the Equalities & Human Rights Committee, the contradiction in their approaches should be somewhat self evident. Regardless, they have given us an opportunity to express this and we welcome it. We are currently in correspondence as we try to bring attention to this issue.
To see what areas of interest the committee would like to hear opinions on then visit this site.
We encourage readers to consider how the criteria surrounding girls and FGM, and apply the exact same logic to male circumcision too. If you would like to express any opinion on the subject then you can send your thoughts on up to 4 sheets of A4 to equalities.humanrights@parliament.scot. The closing deadline is August 30th, and submissions will be available for viewing by the public.
Finding Balance Between the Sexes
As a charitable organisation we try to end the difference in the way these subjects are treated. By uniting with other FGM and intersex organisations we try to end this double standard. Future Choices is a similar charity focused on circumcision, FGM and human rights, as well as forced intersex gender reassignment. You can find out more about them on their website.
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