Peer-reviewed article

Double standards in the debate on protecting all children from genital cutting: a response to Ahmadu et al.

Guido Hegazy, Ephraim Seidenberg, Manasseh Seidenberg · 4 Jun 2026

Abstract

We represent two organisations in German-speaking Europe that advocate for the protection of all children's genitals from non-therapeutic, non-consensual genital cutting. Our organisation's focus is on boys, as they constitute a large group that receives little or no protection from genital cutting. Ahmadu et al recently critiqued 'anti-FGM campaigns' in J Med Ethics, highlighting double standards in the public discussion. Although we differ on the issue itself, we share the authors' assessment that several double standards exist and are often ignored in public debate. In our response, we further elaborate on the double standards that we observe in Germany and Switzerland. Furthermore, we critique terms used in the article by Ahmadu et al and contribute our perspective on gender disparities in the discussion on genital cutting that are often ignored in media, public discourse and academia.