Unfortunately, there is one problem that persists time and time again: people think female circumcision is bad, but at the same time it is considered perfectly acceptable for men. However, analyses by experts such as sociologists, ethnologists and psychologists show that female circumcision is inextricably linked to male circumcision. This means that we can only be successful if we fight together against the genital cutting of children.

Because not questioning male circumcision and at the same time condemning female circumcision reinforces sexist ways of thinking about female and male bodies. Such views reinforce the idea that male bodies can be injured without need, or even have to be ‘tested’ through painful injury rituals, while female bodies are highly vulnerable and must be protected – that vulnerability is therefore a gender characteristic.

We therefore invite all women’s organisations to join us in campaigning against female genital mutilation, which is also in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Human Rights, which prohibits any discrimination based on gender.