Misleading FGM comparisons downplay harm suffered by millions of women and girls

Female genital mutilation (FGM) should never be equated with male circumcision because the two procedures are fundamentally different in their purpose, impact and consequences, a human rights lawyer has said.

Speaking during the opening of a regional training for journalists from Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia in Nairobi, Judy Gitau, Associate Director for East and Central Africa at Equality Now urged media professionals to use accurate terminology when reporting on FGM, warning that misleading comparisons minimize the harm experienced by millions of women and girls.

The two-day training is part of the Future 4 Binti Programme, which seeks to strengthen journalists' capacity to report on FGM from a human rights perspective, improve survivor-centred reporting and build a regional network of media professionals committed to ending the practice.

"Absolutely not. Just as the name suggests, mutilation is the cutting off of nerves and tissues resulting not only in bleeding but damage to the female genitalia, while circumcision speaks to the removal of skin covering a portion of the male genitalia," Gitau told participants.

She added that precision in language is essential for responsible journalism.

"It is critical to use the correct terminology, as conflating these two things erroneously diminishes the harm mutilation visits on women and girls. Would one allow a practice of cutting off the whole or part of the glans of the male genitalia as part of culture?"

FGM is recognized internationally as a human rights violation involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons.

It reflects deeply rooted gender inequality and discriminatory social norms aimed at controlling the sexuality of women and girls. More than 200 million girls and women worldwide are living with its consequences, including an estimated 42 million in Eastern and Southern Africa.

 “We also know the harms that this violation presents to girls including fistula, bleeding to death, sepsis, trouble and challenges during child birth and even worse we know that where these girls are channeled off into marriage or sexual activities on account of them being cut and determined to be adult despite they are minors the end up dropping out of school” Explains Judy.

She says ethical, accurate and gender-sensitive reporting is critical to shaping public understanding, protecting survivors' dignity and holding duty bearers accountable.

The organisation believes journalists have a unique role in amplifying survivor voices while avoiding harmful narratives or misinformation that can undermine efforts to end FGM.

The training brings together journalists from Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia to strengthen cross-border collaboration and improve reporting on emerging issues such as medicalisation, vacation cutting, cross-border FGM and survivor-centred storytelling.

Journalists attending the training were also introduced to the Reporting on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Guidelines for Gender-Sensitive Reporting toolkit.

The resource was informed by a survey of journalists that identified gaps in knowledge, ethical reporting and survivor-centred storytelling and is intended to guide media professionals in reporting on FGM accurately, ethically and responsibly.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), FGM prevalence remains among the highest in the region, affecting an estimated 98% of women and girls in Somalia, 65% in Ethiopia and 21% in Kenya.