Opposition to FGM is not just cultural imperialism

[PrincessFiorimonde]

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the most vile practices of our time. It is not a requirement of any religion (as if that would be an excuse!), but it exists within certain cultures, including cultures within the UK and other 'Western' countries.

I really do not think that despising this practice is in any way a manifestation of cultural imperialism. I absolutely do not think that 'Western' countries have any right to impose all their thoughts or values on any other countries or cultures. But surely the practice of FGM is just WRONG, whoever is carrying it out?

Please see here. Sorry that the video accompanying the article is upsetting, but please watch it to the end if you can, because the young women speaking deserve to be heard.

Motion seconded.

Agreed. Barbaric practice

fgm is barbaric. i don't even care if that is cultural imperialism. and riven is right about labioplasty, though at least that's normally undertaken at the mutilee's request.

adult mutilee's request

yes, it does come to much the same thing

agree, the practice is wrong.

But as we were saying on the other thread, I think that middle class women in the countries where this practice is carried out are probably aware of the practice. I heard the middle classes don't practice it. I wonder if they are doing anything about it. Female MPs must know too.

Feminists have known about this practice for decades, but I do think it's worth questioning why all the sudden interest in western mass media now. YOu have to question whether it really is about the women or not.

"Opposition to FGM is not just cultural imperialism." - possibly - put perhaps attempts to "stamp it out" have been?

I suspect it is a mistake, as with anything really, to look at something like FGM in isolation - since it fits into a cultural context.

There is a chapter on FGM in Half the Sky and it talks about a project called Tostan.

This project involved education programmes within villages which rather than involving lecturing, enable and encourage discussion of human rights and health issues related to FGM. Entire communities of different (intermarrying) villages have then taken decisions to abandon FGM.

It's not a quick fix but perhaps by being run by Africans and by engaging with local people it is being far more sucessful than imperial "laws" which were passed, not policed and ultimately failed to change things.

Sakura, re: your last point - do you mean that this is not so much a feminist issue, but more of a 'racial'/cultural/anti-religious concern? For example, are you suggesting that the media are raising this issue now in a kind of anti-Muslim way - even though FGM is not a Muslim issue, but a practice that exists in certain cultures (some Muslim, some Christian, some animist, etc.)? Or do you think it's being raised as an 'anti-foreigner' sort of issue? (i.e. do you think this problem is being used in the media as a 'Muslim-bashing' or 'anti-foreigner' sort of thing?)

If so, I can understand your point.

And while I absolutely agree that feminists have known about FGM/campaigned about FGM for a long time, I think it does no harm to raise the issue to public attention again.

I don't know how/if 'middle-class women in the countries where this practice is carried out' are reacting. It would be pleasing to know if there is in fact some adverse reaction to this practice, of course. But, even if there is such a reaction, does this mean that the practice is dying out? The Guardian article and video (which are about such practices in the UK) suggest otherwise.

Tabouleh, as my questions to Sakura might suggest - yes, I do think that media coverage of FGM might be culturally/imperialistically driven.

I don't think that the basic condemnation of FGM is so driven, however. Wherever that condemnation arises from.

But I'll have a look at your links, of course.

(Am I making any sense? I'm trying to write these posts in between editing nonsense worthy academic papers.)

Tabouleh, I do take your point that attempts to eradicate the practice of FGM may be seen as 'cultural imperialism'. I watched the video on the link you supplied. Thanks for that. I absolutely agree that it's a great thing the Tostan project is run by local people.

But I note that Tostan is (so far?) a project in just one country - Senegal. It is inspirational, but we should be looking for similar local projects to be rolled out in all other countries where FGM is practised.

(Sorry - I know that sounds anodyne, but inspiration has deserted me.)

I'm leaving MN now till January. But many thanks to those who have contributed to this thread. And of course to everyone who posts in the feminist section as a whole - I've found all your posts so thought-provoking.

I think it is barbaric and issues like this are what I think people should be campaigning to change as I see this as a very important issue.

I saw the full film when it was on a few years ago.

It's so sad.

I wrote my undergrad dissertation on this. Protecting vulnerable female minors is not cultural imperialism it is a basic appreciation of universal human rights.