The clitoris is a gift, so why is there an ingrained fear of talking about it? | Lucy McCormick

If we want to make progress with FGM, we need to first tackle our outdated, misogynistic views on sexThefirst UK conviction for female genital mutilation (FGM) this month was a milestone in the fight for the basic human rights of women and girls. But one of the things that stands out from the news reports of that case is how oddly furtive they were about communicating the key facts – in particular their avoidance of the C-word: clitoris.In reporting such a prominent case, are readers unable to be shown the correct medical terminology? Why do the media carefully avoid mentioning what occurred, using highly generalised anatomical terms before quickly moving on? If this lack of detail was to spare the victim the indignity of having such a personal matter discussed so publicly, I would have sympathy, however I do not think that this is the case here. What I think is at play, is a deep-rooted fear of the clitoris.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Female genital mutilation (FGM) Society Politics Sex education Feminism Women Biology UK news Source Type: news