Should Male Mc Be Compulsory In Zambia?

SHOULD MANDATORY MALE CIRCUMCISION BE INTRODUCED IN ZAMBIA? 1.0) Introduction: Wikipedia defines Male circumcision as the removal/extraction of some or all of the fore skin (prepuce) from the penis. It reports that the term ‘circumcision’ emanates from Latin circum which means ‘around’ and caedere which means ‘to cut’. Since both religion and tradition are cultural aspects, it is difficulty to categorically indicate whether circumcision is traditional or religious because there is sufficient indication that in both tradition and religion, circumcision seems to have been practiced since time immemorial. The Jewish people for instance insisted that all newly born boys had to be circumcised in the first few days of life. This was because in Judaism, the practice was considered as a commandment from God. In Zambia today there are tribal groupings more especially in the Northwestern province of the country were the practice has been going on for along time too.

2.0) Findings: The issue of whether mandatory male circumcision should be introduced in Zambia or not, is a matter that requires critical analysis of both sides of the coin. We need to analyze what arguments there are for and against the above motion. According to Wikipedia, those that advocate for male circumcision generally argue that the practice which begun as a religious sacrifice; as a rite of passage indicating a boy’s entrance into adulthood has many benefits and they say the following are some of them: a. The practice is a means of holding back or in most cases enhancing sexual pleasure. b. It increases sense of hygiene as the foreskin which in most cases harbours the dirty is removed from the penis. c. It acts as a mark of higher social standing, as a way of distinguishing a circumcised group from one that has not been. The Masai people of East Africa can be cited as an example here. d. It is believed that the practice discourages masturbation, or other ‘socially unacceptable’ conduct. e. Male circumcision increases man’s attractiveness to the womenfolk. It is generally believed that a circumcised man performs better sex than one who is not and as such most women prefer circumcised men. f. There is also a notion that the practice provides important health advantages and that until now; it does not have any substantial effects on the sexual function. For examples older men with prostate grands or bladder problems develop problems with their foreskins. It has been scientifically proven that cervical cancer in women results from the Human Papilloma Virus which thrives under and on the foreskin from where it can be transmitted during the sexual

intercourse act. In children, urinary tract infections can be reduced if the toddlers are circumcised in infancy. For partners that keep getting ‘thrust’ or an infection called ‘sexual ping-pong’, circumcision can once for all take care of such infections. g. Balanitis, is a common inflammation of the glands; though very unpleasant, this infection can be prevented by male circumcision. h. A circumcised penis feels cleaner, odourless and provides for better and enjoyable sex. i. When done professionally, the surgical operation only takes about 15-20 minutes, is less painful and results in almost no complications altogether. j. Circumcision makes the skin of the male penis harden and that means reduced chances of STI, HIV and other infections. k. Until now HIV/AIDS activists have had trouble promoting condom use and other contraceptives as well as other safer sex methods to faith based groups a these groups perceived practices as being immoral. The use of circumcision on the other hand would not be looked at like this because there is evidence that the practice is biblical. Those that oppose the practice on the other hand also have their arguments too. For example they argue as follows: a. Circumcision interferes with the normal sexual function and that it results loss of some sense of sexual sensitivity. b. They also argue that the practice is performed as a result of excuses and sometimes myths or beliefs and/or forced on children by either parents or some religious influences. c. They also contend that the practice is costly and because of that, most people that cannot afford to pay for expert services opt to use the local traditional practitioners who unfortunately pay very little attention to issues of hygiene and safety thereby exposing those that are circumcised in such situations to infections or disease. d. There is also an argument that the practice exposes the little ones to excessive pain and also that it violates children’s human rights. They say that since circumcision involves the removal of the foreskin of one’s penis, and a penis is part of ones body, then one is exposed to excessive pain and blood loss which may result in death. e. There is also a notion that the surgical operation has both emotional and psychological consequences on those that it is practiced on whether they little ones or elders. 3.0) Conclusion: Going by the facts given above, it can be seen that there are more advantages of male circumcision as opposed to disadvantages. The World Health Organization (WHO) together with other UN agencies like UNAIDS, UNICEF and UNFPA have carried out studies which indicate that circumcision actually reduces infection rates in men by approximately 60%. It is therefore our view and position that if done properly and professional compulsory male circumcision may help our country to Zambia to reduce STIs, HIV and AIDS prevalence.