The Distinction Between Male and Female Circumcision

• Male circumcision consists of the simple removal of the foreskin of the penis.  Female genital mutilation consists of three different types.  The first consists of the removal of the clitoris.  The second type consists of amputating the clitoris and part or all of the labia minora.  Type I and II account for 80-85% of female circumcisions.  The third type involves excision of part or all of the external genitalia including the clitoris, the labia minora, and the labia majora.  The labia majora are then fused using thorns or stitching to hold them in place, and the legs are tied together for 2 to 6 weeks.  A small opening is left to allow urine and menstrual blood to pass.

• Male circumcision is most often done when the male is a newborn.  The procedure only takes a couple minutes and the healing process is within days.  There is some pain associated with the cutting of the foreskin but the duration of the pain is very short compared to the duration of the pain for females.  Female circumcision is performed on young girls usually between the ages of a day old to 16 years of age.  The whole process is very traumatic for the young child.  She is forced to lie naked on a flat bed or floor and is restrained by other women, most often her own mother and grandmother.  The procedure lasts 20 to 30 minutes depending on the age of the child, the struggles of the girl, the degree of mutilation and the skill of the excisor.  The ritual is performed with knives, razor blades, pieces of glass, etc.  Anesthetic is traditionally not used.

• Male circumcision offers many benefits.  There is substantial evidence that circumcision protects males from HIV infection, penile carcinoma, urinary tract infections, and ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases. We could find little scientific evidence of adverse effects on sexual, psychological, or emotional health.  There are no benefits to female genital mutilation.  There are myths that the practice of female circumcision helps to prevent certain infections, cancers, and even AIDS but these myths are not true.  The risks and consequences of female genital mutilation greatly outnumber the benefits, if there are any at all.