"Advanced or developed cultures should have the right to impose
their laws on cultures that are less advanced or developed.."
The gap between first and third world countries has become increasingly more obvious in today's world. While the economically advanced countries continue to change and develop, many of the under-developed countries remain true to their ancient cultures, and rooted in their century-old traditions. World-wide there is obvious support for the preservation of these practices, with the claim that there is no need to change what has already existed for years. However, a large problem is formed when these traditions extend beyond their boundaries, and begin to severely infringe on the rights of human beings. It is the responsibility of a G7 country, a member of the United Nations, to take a stand against all forms of human rights abuse, and if necessary, step in to prevent any obvious harm to individuals or any group or people.
The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is a violation of universally accepted human rights, and it is estimated that over 95% of women have endured the procedure in countries such as Egypt, Somalia and Djibouti. FGM involves excision, the removal of part or all of the female genitalia; and is performed on young females with the purpose of protecting their virginity until marriage. Infibulation, often used in addition to excision, is the process where the vulva are crudely stitched together, causing extensive pain to a women each time she urinates or menstruates. Lifelong health problems, along with increased infection rates and risks of contracting AIDS, coincide with the highest death rates for both the mother and baby in regions where FGM is practiced. This is without reference to the many psychological effects that accompany this breech of freedom. There can be no justification for making a life more painful or reducing any life expectancy.
Although for the women of these cultures, female genital mutilation is an important ritual, it is hard to imagine any girl would chose a life of suffering for herself is she originally knew the consequences.
Alex, a teen from Cameroon argues against female genital mutilation:
Man makes customs, and man can still change these customs. For [the tribe leaders FGM] is good, but at an older age, these young girls cry about the stupid act that was committed on them without their opinion. What ever people think about female genital mutilation, I strongly condemn it. Such laws are accepted according to customs, but for me, they are completely wrong. I wish it stops one day in some of these local villages around Cameroon, and other countries in the world."
Since 1979, the World Health Organization has recognized FGM as a problem, and is now distributing The Childbirth Picture Book (CBPB) to areas where FGM is practiced to help educate people of FGM's many negative effects. It has been so successful that results in Sierra Leone have shown that with the distribution of enough books in a certain area, the majority of people (especially local leaders) stop having their daughters circumcised. This is perhaps the most important evidence that intervention can create positive change. If we in developed countries direct our feelings against FGM towards the production and distribution of such educational tools, we can create a change that these cultures will support; as opposed to creating governmental laws which will instigate rebellion if not supported by the people. This educational method might prevent us from seeing any more horrid events such as the incident in which a man tried to perform FGM on his daughter with a pen knife, causing her to bleed to death . In a world where an estimated 114 million people have undergone FGM, we can not place a numerical value on the number of lives lost or ruined, all we can say for sure is that with each step towards ending the practice of female circumcision, more and more lives will be preserved.
In 1999, an African woman living in France was sentenced to eight years in prison for performing female genital mutilation on 48 girls, and in UK a family GP was removed from the medical register for medicalizing the practice. In 1994 in Ghana, FGM was added as a criminal offence to the Criminal Code, and in April, 2001, Nigeria outlawed the long-existing practice. These countries set an example, but we can go further. It is not enough to just outlaw FGM in some countries, and in doing so only restrict the areas in which this harmful ritual can be practiced; we must take the issue to the grass roots level and prevent it from happening in the first place. The abuse of a child without their consent is immoral and wrong regardless of the circumstances, and if this practice is condemned in some parts of the world because of the numerous hazards, there is no reason for it should be accepted in any country.
In the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights, Articles 3 and 5 state respectively that "Everyone has a right to life, liberty, and security of person. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." The act of female genital mutilation clearly goes against the Human Rights code, and gradually must be demolished. Today there is solid evidence of its negative effects, support from within third-world countries for the elimination of FGM, and many countries changing both their laws and views to counter this harmful practice. We have only begun a global effort, but we can pursue it much further, for there is no downside if all forms of FGM cease. While the theory of cultural relativism is a great one, we can not look to this as an excuse for not actively involving ourselves in the eradication of the problems often found in third world countries. It is as basic a human right as any to be free from harm. There is no excuse for damaging the mind or body, regardless of reason, law, religion or custom.
BIBLIGRAPHY:
Montagu, Ashley, Mutilated Humanity. Vol. 55, The Humanist, 07-17-1995, pp 12(4).
Fluehr-Lobban, Carolyn, Cultural Relativism and Universal Rights
Female Genital Mutilation-Holistic Care For Women
The Foundation For Women's Health, Research and Development
Copyright 2001 Gale Group.
Jet, March 8, 1999 v 95 i14 p13
African Woman Sentenced For Female Genital Cutting.
Full Text: COPYRIGHT 1999 Johnson Publishing Co.
WIN News, Autumn 1993 v 19 n4 p29 (4)
Progress Report: Campaign to stop FGM.
Full Text: Women's International Network 1993
WIN News, Summer 2001 v 27 i3 p28
Female Circumcision In The European Union
Full Text: Women's International Network 2001
WIN News, Spring 1999 v 25 i2 p67
Excisor In Paris Imprisoned for 8 Years
Full Text: Women's International Network 1999
Daedallus, Fall 2000 v129i4 p209
What about "FGM"?
Full Text : Copyright 2000 American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Dickenson, Gregory, Understanding The Law. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Publishing: Toronto. 1995.
Excision and infibulation make up the broader name of Pharaonic circumcision, representation of that fact that this practice has existed since the time of the pharaohs. How can such an ancient practice be justified in today's society?
Alex Njieko is a teen from Cameroon. I asked him to tell me if he knew anyone affected by FGM, and also what he thought about FGM in general. www.cameroon.takingitglobal.org/community/profile.html
Now there is a documented growing demand for thousands more of these booklets, along with a flood of letters of thanks. A man from Benin in 1993 writes, "I am a social worker…I saw a copy with my friend…I hereby promise that my daughters will never be circumcised. I shall teach others about the dangers of female circumcision, I shall ask them to join me to stop circumcision all girls in our families and families of our
friends."
« return.