How would you react if circumcision was banned in South Africa?
A debate has been sparked over a proposed ban of male circumcision in Iceland. Some have said that it infringes on human rights. Damon wants to know what you think.
Listen as Dr TC Nkabinde, specialist Family Physician at UKZN shares his views on banning circumcision in the podcast, then read more below:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that one in three men around the world are circumcised whether it be for medical reasons or by choice.
According to news.com.au, many around the world were up in arms when the Icelandic Parliament proposed a bill in which there would be a penalty of up to six years in prison for parents who have a circumcision performed on their young sons for non-medical reasons.
Read: UK health service to ban smokers, obese from surgery
'This is an attack on all religion and especially Judaism,' an Icelandic Imam told news.com.au.
Jews and Muslims around the world have stood up against the ban and said that they feel that it infringes and violates their human rights.
Medical and religious circumcision is also practiced in South Africa. In the Xhosa culture, the traditional ritual of circumcision known as ulwaluko is still practiced and is used as an initiation test to show the transition from boy to manhood.
The recent movie 'Inxeba/The Wound' sparked controversy and outraged as it highlighted the traditional ritual with some saying that it may have revealed too many secrets about the tradition. Protests from groups resulted in the movie being pulled from select cinemas in the Eastern Cape.
Read: Darren Maule reveals why he wants to watch 'Inxeba'
So back to Iceland, if this proposed ban goes into law, Iceland will be the first European country to ban religious male circumcision.
What if a ban on the practice of non-medical circumcision was proposed? Would you agree with it?