Insanely frustrating double standard for genital integrity (HIV/AIDS) in Africa

[Microsoap]

Uganda: FGM Among the Pokot Heightens HIV Risk

New Vision (Kampala)

August 14, 2006
Posted to the web August 15, 2006

(quote): Female circumcision, commonly referred to as female genital mutilation (FGM), has been internationally condemned as a violation of a woman's rights. The long-term physiological effects include septicaemia, genital malformation and even death.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200608150142.html

Touch points I'll accentuate on:

- CLEARLY!!!: If FGM is condemed, but not MGM, what message is that sending to the world about genital equality? Why is the clitoris ANY more valuable than the foreskin?

- If dirty blades are used from woman to woman during FGM spreading AIDS, couldn't the same be said for males during MGM?

- Friction during sex can both be said for females and males, circumcised. Like the article said: A doorway for HIV to enter the body."

[AXEius]

"Friction during sex can both be said for females and males, circumcised. Like the article said: A doorway for HIV to enter the body."


that is a very good point. Interestingly but not suprising is that from what ive read, the study did NOT follow the female HIV contraction rate. The increased abrassion of the circed men would logically increase chance of "micro tears" in the women. The more i learn of this study, the more flawed and BIASED it appears and the less i can believe that people actually take it seriously. Thats not even taking into account the unethical practice of "preventative" genital amputation.

[kldliam]

Poor African girls

Some of the African regions were just on their way to eradicating FGM. Damn! I worry that the recent promotion of MGM as an Aids prevention tactic, will have dire consequences for the girls too.

How do you stomp out FGM when you are busy promoting MGM???

Keeping a culture of genital cutting alive sends the message (indirectly) that it is ok to keep cutting the girls too. It's all meant to curb disease right?

[cristina63303]

I keep wondering what they will say in 20 years when in fact aids infection rates DON'T fall in these parts of the world and millions die because of this stupid policy.

Oooops?

Oh, no! I bet they'll come up with yet another explanation. Are we going too be in this battle so long?

Why hasn't anyone wondered publicly how come AIDS infection rates in high-circ-USA are not lower than in no-circ-Europe?

So frustrating...