Paper Summary:

This paper gives an overview of the many issues associated with female genital mutilation as practiced by some cultures in the Middle East and Africa. The paper describes how the procedure is performed and cites the dangers to the young woman as well as human rights concerns. It also presents a case study of a Sudanese mother living in the US who is considering having her daughter undergo this rite. Additionally, the paper discusses how this practice is viewed in a cultural context, especially regarding a girl being a virgin at marriage and the overall context of her purity. The paper takes issue with the human rights abuses involved in this procedure, seeing it as violence against women. The paper concludes with proposed solutions to ending female genital mutilation which include better education and enlisting the support of leaders of a community in which it is practiced.

Outline:

Identification of the Population
Clinical Question
Literature Review: Synthesis and Analysis
Cultural Implications
Human / Women's Rights
Laws and Legal Remedies
Proposed Solutions
Outcome Evaluation
Suggested Implementation Strategies

From the Paper:

"It is important to remember that most societies that practice FGM view it as natural as removing someone's appendix was in the early to middle twentieth century. They even feel that the appearance of the woman is greatly improved by the procedure. By allowing hospitals to perform the surgery, this further promotes the feeling of legitimacy. Couple that with an apparent religious affiliation and, depending on other cultural mores, this can be a difficult hurdle to overcome..."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boyle, E. H., & Preves, S. E. (2000). National Politics as International Process: the Case of Anti-Female-Genital-Cutting Laws. Law & Society Review, 34(3), 703-738.
• Brant, R. (1995). Case Vignette: Child Abuse or Acceptable Cultural Norms. Ethics & Behavior, 5(3), 283-292
• Chavkin, W. & Chesler, E. (Eds.). (2005). Where Human Rights Begin: Health, Sexuality, and Women in the New Millennium. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
• Eichman, E. (1992, August 3). The Cutting Edge. National Review, 44, 48-59
• Ezzat, D. (1994, January). A Savage Surgery. The Middle East 35-49

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