The origins of the World Wide Day of Genital Autonomy:
In 2012 a regional court in Köln (Germany) judged that religious infant circumcision was illegal, and that it could be considered bodily harm. This was due to complications following the unnecessary circumcision of a 4 year old boy that resulted in complications.
The court decided that taking away the choice of the child in order to perform irreversible unnecessary surgery to the genitals is already against the law, and this was just an interpretation of existing legislation.
The choice of the parent’s religious freedom did not trump the child’s religious freedom.
Unfortunately, and as expected, there was intervention from the politicians of Germany including Chancellor Angela Merkel. Rather than engaging with the ethical debate or acknowledging the problems and suffering of some men, they instead over-ruled the court hearing as they feared it would “make a laughing stock of Germany”.
This was regrettable. Find the article written in 2012 here.
There are some positives that came of this event though.
Every year since the Köln hearing, hundreds of human rights activists and international campaigners have gathered in Köln to commemorate the hearing and to remind the politicians that there is still large scale support in favour of reviewing the place that circumcision has in our society.
The day has become known as the World Wide Day of Genital Autonomy and it’s supporters include activists, researchers, doctors and victims of FGM, forced gender assignment and intersex genital surgery, and male circumcision.
As the current pandemic has put a ban on travel, gatherings and events, this year has required some creative alternatives. Supporting charities and organisations have sent in videos promoting the WWDOGA instead, and Video messages of support have been sent in from across the world, including Australia, Israel, Uganda, Kenya, Germany, France and the UK to name but a few.
Needless to say that 15 Square whole heartedly support a serious review of the human rights that are not afforded to children with regards to forced genital surgery. We hope the video’s will raise more public awareness of the issues surrounding genital cutting forced upon boys, girls, and intersex children.
You can find the videos here, and we encourage everyone to keep an eye on the content as it is released over the coming month.
The World Wide Day Of Genital Autonomy is co-ordinated by MOGiS E.V – A voice for those affected.
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