Human rights lawyer Judy Gitau has emphasized that female genital mutilation (FGM) should not be conflated with male circumcision due to significant differences in purpose, impact, and consequences.

Addressing journalists from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia during a regional training in Nairobi, Gitau, Associate Director for East and Central Africa at Equality Now, urged media professionals to adopt accurate terminology when reporting on FGM. She warned that misleading comparisons risk downplaying the profound harm endured by millions of women and girls.

Training Aims to Enhance Ethical Reporting

The two-day workshop is part of the Future 4 Binti Programme, designed to improve journalists' capacity to report on FGM through a human rights lens, promote survivor-centred narratives, and foster a regional media network committed to ending the practice.

Gitau explained, "FGM involves cutting nerves and tissues of female genitalia, causing bleeding and lasting damage, whereas male circumcision typically entails removing skin covering part of the male genitalia." She stressed the importance of precise language, cautioning that equating the two diminishes the severity of mutilation.

FGM’s Widespread Impact and Consequences

Internationally recognized as a human rights violation, FGM involves partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons, reflecting entrenched gender inequality and social norms controlling female sexuality.

Over 200 million women and girls globally live with FGM’s effects, including approximately 42 million in Eastern and Southern Africa. The practice can result in severe health complications such as fistula, fatal bleeding, infections, childbirth difficulties, and often leads to school dropout when girls are forced into early marriage or sexual activity.

Role of Journalists in Ending FGM

Gitau highlighted the vital role of ethical, gender-sensitive journalism in shaping public perception, preserving survivors’ dignity, and holding authorities accountable. She encouraged media to amplify survivor voices while avoiding harmful or inaccurate narratives.

The training also introduced participants to the Reporting on Female Genital Mutilation: Guidelines for Gender-Sensitive Reporting toolkit, developed to address gaps in knowledge and promote responsible coverage.

Prevalence in the Region

According to UNICEF, FGM prevalence remains high in the region, with estimates of 98% in Somalia, 65% in Ethiopia, and 21% in Kenya.