UN Proposal: Female Genital Mutilation

[Boktavia II]

Female Genital Mutilation

A resolution to improve worldwide human and civil rights.
 

Category: Human Rights
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Safalra

Description: The General Assembly,

Observing that female genital mutilation (hereafter 'FGM') is performed ritually in some cultures,

Alarmed by the long-term effects of FGM, including prolonged pain and increased risk of death during childbirth,

Deeply disturbed that many women are subjected to FGM against their will,

Recognising that when dealing with other cultures, legislation leads to confrontation, whilst education leads to willing change,

1. Condemns the practice of FGM;

2. Calls upon States to fund programmes educating citizens about the dangers of FGM;

3. Urges States to avoid using the alternative phrase 'female circumcision', as this leads to comparison with the safe male circumcision.

[Sheynat]

OUCH. I'm a GUY, and I walked away from this hunched over. But, yeah, some African cultures do this ritually, for no readily apparent reason.
BTW, I read an article on this one. Really, really not a pleasant practice. I'm voting yes, and y'all should too.

[Parthini]

It doesn't really ban it, per se. I will vote yes, even if it did. This is a pretty gross thing and should be stopped.

GPP

[Henneth annun]

I vote yes. It doesn't do anything bad.

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

It is just not right. Generally, I am all for leaving cultural pracitices alone but given that this is sexist mutilation, I'm all for using military force to enforce this bill.

[Kaom]

do we really need to think about this one?

[Sheynat]

Somebody votes no, I'm gonna find out, and hit 'em with a shovel.

[Boktavia II]

Well, I think we have a clear winner here, so I will be voting YES on this proposal. Has anyone seen the UN voting tally thing in NS? This proposal is like the biggest blowout either way I've ever seen.

[Thewsconia]

Wow that is just disturbing, what is the UN coming too?

[RichfieldMN]

I voted no, not because I believe in female circumcision but due to the wording of the motion. I find it a very patronizing motion and worded very badly.

I am sure there coudl be an alternate way of the United Nations looking in to this matter, and not sounding as though they are trying to enforce cultural idendity on any other culture.

I also find it offensive to assume that FGM is the correct term to use, use femal circumcision that is what it is called...try not to enforce your cultural stereotypes.

I find it as repulsive as the next person, as do I find the ritual circumcision of baby boys..which is not necessary either...

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

Not really. Male circumscision does cut down on the chances of urinary infections. "Female circumcision" is a practice that has no beneficial use, increases the chances of urinary infections, reduces a woman's ability to have an orgasim, and is only done as a means of control. Generally, I am against putting one society over another, but this is a clear cut, black and white issue with one side right and the other wrong.

[RichfieldMN]

I re-read the resolution, and have decided to change my vote to YES although I still have doubts about it and still feel that male circumcision is wrong until the child has the right to voice his opinion about it.

Mutilation is mutilation.

[Crackenback]

There are certain circumstances where male circumcision is necessary.

I hope this isnt going into too much detail, but myself and my parents both didn't really have a choice, I _had_ to be circumcised, due to infection when I was a toddler. And besides, it doesn't cause any damage, and it fixed the problem right up. I see nothing wrong with male circumcision, especially since it really does reduce the chances of infections etc.

And as was already said, female circumcision serves no real purpose, and only causes more problems.

[RichfieldMN]

I am not talking about medical reasons for male circumcision, but other reasons that a child is mutilated. A child should be given the choice if possible...

There are always medical exceptions. I am not a supporter of either male or female circumcision btw.

[Sheynat]

I agree with TSNA here. I really hate forcing my cultural values down somebody else's throat. Hell, a culture wants cannibalism, I can get down with that, so long as the dude to be eaten is a volunteer. But like TSNA said. This is plain and simple. It's not a matter of "I have an M-16 and eleven trillion dollars, you will accept my cultural values", it's more like going to war against a slaveholding country. It's in their culture, true, but it's something that has GOT to be stopped, no matter how central it is to their culture. If it's central to their culture, then to hell with their culture.
A note: This thing is a BLOWOUT, I have never seen a resolution passed by such a massive margin.