Suchergebnisse

AbstractConstructivist political theory, championed most prominently by John Rawls, builds up a conception of justice from the minimal requirements of political life. It has two powerful attractions. It promises a kind of civic unity in the face of irresolvable differences about the good life. It also offers a foundation for human rights that is secure in the face of those same differences. The very parsimony that is its strength, however, deprives it of the resources to condemn some atrocities. Because it focuses on the political aspect of persons, it has difficulty cognizing violence done to those aspects of the person that are not political, preeminently the body. Constructivism thus can be only a part of an acceptable theory of justice.

An exhibition of paintings and sculpture, Through the Eyes of Nigerian Artists depicts the suffering, sorrow, and dignity of Nigerian girls and women. Conceived by Joy Keshi (Ashibuogwu) Walker, this show seeks to provoke dialogue and stimulate projects opposed to female genital mutilation. Its opening in Nigeria in 1998 and presentation during the WAAD (Women in Africa and the African Diaspora) Conference at IUPUI preceded six years in Europe where, between 2000 and 2006, it appeared in more than 65 venues including city halls, medical schools, Expo 2000, and the British Parliament. It returned to the USA to open at Brandeis University's Kniznick Gallery in 2006. ; https://vc.bridgew.edu/bsu_art_shows/1030/thumbnail.jpg

Throughout the world, women undergo female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), or procedures in which a woman's external genitalia is either injured or removed for a non medically-related reason. This review explores the reasons why women who have undergone FGM/C would continue the procedure on their daughters through an examination of statistical data, journals, and books. The review offers an analysis of the nature through which FGM/C became so deeply embedded in society, highlighting the cultural and social norms that connect FGM/C with marriageability. In particular, the influence of the nature of a woman's procedure, its effect on her psychological welfare and marital relations, and her level of education are examined. The limitations of using outside forces, such as legislation and non-governmental organizations, to enact cultural change is additionally explored through a comparison with the potential power of community leaders. The review concludes by proposing a preventative and a reactive response to mitigate the practice of FGM/C. The preventative approach focuses on changing male marriage preferences, while the reactive approach centers on providing women with alternative sources for economic stability beyond marriage.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a development issue and a form of violence against women and girls that affects at least 200 million women in the world. FGM/C is a harmful practice proven to impact the physical and mental health of affected women and girls from the moment of the cutting, with prolonged and irreversible consequences during their entire lives. The Compendium on International and National Legal Frameworks on Female Genital Mutilation (the "Compendium") was prepared to contribute to this urgent and important development debate with the understanding that the knowledge of the law is an important empowerment tool to end FGM/C. It provides a survey of the key international and regional instruments as well as domestic legislation as they relate to the prohibition of FGM/C.

Masculinity in Egypt has traditionally been in part a function of control of female sexuality; Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one instance of this. Likewise notions of femininity have served to encourage FGM among women, as the practice can be interpreted in part as removing or reducing a portion of the female anatomy that is popularly considered more properly male in terms of both structure and function; this has been considered a necessary precondition for marriage. In recent years, as anti-FGM educational campaigns have become more common in Egypt, anecdotal evidence indicates there has been some shifting of these ideas, as educated men sometimes show a preference for "uncircumcised" girls as marriage partners, believing that they will be more sexually responsive.

AbstractThis study examines how France's national asylum legislation has changed politically and ideologically from following a gender‐blind policy to recognizing gender‐based violence as a ground for asylum. Among European countries, France receives the largest number of female asylum seekers (FAS) from sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries, where female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is practiced. Although France was one of the first countries to recognize FGM/C as a reason for granting asylum, it was reluctant to accept FAS as a "particular social group (PSG)." This article analyzes the increase in asylum claims based on FGM/C in the 2000s and examines the political discourses on changing asylum legislation up to the 2010s. Data from official reports of government organizations were examined to investigate the decisions on asylum applications involving FGM/C. France changed its policies in the 2000s to include gender equality in its republican identity due to ultra‐right party and social campaigns criticizing male members of minority groups for violence and discrimination against women. The then conservative government exploited these circumstances and enacted restrictive immigration laws that addressed FGM/C grievances partially; the succeeding socialist government recognized FGM/C as a ground for asylum. This study concludes by arguing that the 2011 European directive was a turning point for French asylum legislation to include gender‐sensitive interpretation of the grounds under the Convention on the Status of Refugees, in line with European policy. However, the status of SSA women and girls remains uncertain while they are subjected to medical examination and the application range of PSG could be reconsidered.

Female Genital Mutilation/cutting/circumcision (FGM/C) are terms used to incorporate a wide range of traditional practices that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia basically for traditional and cultural reasons in mostly African societies. This study addresses the perceptions of this practice and looks at different efforts by the Community Based Organisations and Government to eliminate this tradtional practice among the Sabiny people of Kapchorwa District in the Republic of Uganda. This study was conducted in Kapchorwa among selected Sabiny people and organisations working to eliminate the practice. In executing this study, both qualitative and quantitaive methods were used. Qualitative methods used included individual interviews; key informant interviews; telephone interviews and focus group discussions. Secondary data was also used in this study. The findings revealed that there are divided opinions about female genital cutting among the Sabiny. There are those who are in favour of the practice, while others are against the practice. The assumed consequences of performing the practice or not performing it play a big role on the different perceptions held by the people. A big segment of the local community, together with the Uganda Government is involved in efforts to bring about change in the community by eliminating the tradition. This thesis indicates that perceptions held by those who are in favour of the practice are based on a number of motivating factors, tradition topping the list. There are various efforts that are being employed by the local community as well as Government to eliminate the traditon in Kapchorwa. As a result of these efforts, ther has been a change in the community; however this does not yet mean that the tradition has been eliminated.

A comprehensive study was undertaken to investigate, explore and analyse the existence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM or FGM/C) in Iran. The timespan of this study began in 2005 and ended in 2014. The aim of this study was to provide in-depth data on FGM in Iran and, at the same time, provide the building blocks for a comprehensive programme to combat FGM in Iran and bring this issue onto the world's agenda. The methodological approach adopted by this study was primarily participatory, due to the sensitivity of the subject matter. Most parts of this research were completed by the end of 2014, and much has been achieved over a decade of studying the subject of FGM in Iran.The study included travelling thousands of kilometers and interviewing over 3,000 women and 1,000 men from various areas and social classes, including key role players, community leaders, clerics and religious leaders in order to compile comprehensive data about the practice of FGM in Iran. The findings demonstrate that FGM in some locations is widespread among women and girls (around 60% in some villages of Qeshm Island in the southern province of Hurmozgan, especially in the villages of the four provinces in the north-west, west and south of Iran). FGM was not, however, practised in the northern parts of West Azerbaijan, where people are Turkish Azeri and Kurmanji Kurdish speakers, nor in the southern parts of Kermanshah and northern parts of Hormozgan.This research study, along with a short documentary film, has gained global recognition and was launched by The Guardian and the BBC on 4 June 2015 through their websites. Shortly thereafter it was discussed at a United Nations meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, on 19 June 2015 at a session on eliminating FGM. Reuters also published an analysis of the research and considered it one of the rare contributions in the history of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional harmful practice affecting 200 million women and girls globally. Health complications of FGM occur immediately and over time, and are associated with healthcare costs that are poorly understood. Quantifying the global FGM-related burden is essential for supporting programmes and policies for prevention and mitigation. METHODS: Health complications of FGM are derived from a meta-analysis and stratified by acute, uro-gynaecological, obstetric and psychological/sexual. Treatment costs are calculated from national cohort models of 27 high-burden countries over 30 years. Savings associated with full/partial abandonment are compared with a current incidence reference scenario, assuming no changes in FGM practices. RESULTS: Our model projects an increasing burden of FGM due to population growth. As a reference scenario assuming no change in practices, prevalent cases in 27 countries will rise from 119.4 million (2018) to 205.8 million (2047). Full abandonment could reduce this to 80.0 million (2047), while partial abandonment is insufficient to reduce cases. Current incidence economic burden is US$1.4 billion/year, rising to US$2.1 billion/year in 2047. Full abandonment would reduce the future burden to US$0.8 billion/year by 2047. CONCLUSION: FGM is a human rights violation, a public health issue and a substantial economic burden that can be avoided through effective prevention strategies. While decreasing trends are observed in some countries, these trends are variable and not consistently observed across settings. Additional resources are needed to prevent FGM to avoid human suffering and growing costs. The findings of this study warrant increased political commitment and investment in the abandonment of FGM.