AFRO-NETS> GENITAL MUTILATION: Aid Group Caught in Controversy (5)

[Odile Mendel <Odile_MENDEL@london.msf.org>]

GENITAL MUTILATION: Aid Group Caught in Controversy (5)
-------------------------------------------------------

The article mentioned last week on AFRO-NETS (The Observer, 22nd Au-
gust) seriously misrepresented Medecins Sans Frontieres' position on 
female genital mutilation (FGM).

MSF never knowingly provides surgical instruments for FGM to take 
place, nor do MSF staff take part in circumcision ceremonies. MSF is 
opposed to any form of FGM because it causes unnecessary suffering and 
is a violation of human rights. 

We agree with the World Health Organization that the practice is unac-
ceptable even under sterile conditions. The so-called 'medicalisation' 
of the procedure would not prevent many of the serious health conse-
quences and is no less of a violation of human rights. 

If there is any "Western pragmatism" involved in our approach, it is 
rather in our realisation that strident campaigning can be counter-
productive in societies where the practice is deeply ingrained. In-
stead, we support local initiatives against FGM and place a strong em-
phasis on its dire consequences in the training of local health staff 
and traditional midwives.

Anne-Marie Huby 
Executive Director 
Medecins Sans Frontieres, UK
mailto:Odile_MENDEL@london.msf.org


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