Women and the Law/ Female Genital Mutilation

Women and the Law/ Female Genital Mutilation

Summary of the book

Female genital mutilation: A guise to laws and policies is a book written by Anika, Rahman and Nahid, Touba. The book is about the practice of female genital mutilation. The authors open their discussion with a precise description of what female circumcision or female genital mutilation is. The book define female genital mutilation as a collection name that refers to the various different traditional practices which involves cutting of the genitals of female or any mutilation or injuries subjected to the genitals without substantial medical reasons (Anika Nahid 3).

The book also presents a history on the practice of female genital mutilation. Various statistics and figures of the number of countries practicing FGM are provided and Islamic countries being cited as the original initiator of the practice. Furthermore more, the author’s highlights some of the health consequences that the practice has on those people the act is practiced (Anika Nahid 4). One of the dreary effects of the practice is the spread of infectious disease such as HIV from one person to another. This is attributed to the fact that the tools used are not sterilized and they are used on several people. On the other hand, the authors highlight some of the reasons that the proponents and those who practice the cutting use to justify their actions. For instance, some of the reasons that those who practice FGM cite include; the practice helps in controlling women sexuality, it is a traditional practice that our great grand parents used to practice so it must be passed onto the coming generation. Other reasons include interpretation of the religious dilates. There are many other reasons presented by the authors that make those communities to cling on the practice.

The book also provides history of organizations which have been trying to combat practice of human genital mutilation across the world. World Health Organization is one of the organizations which have been in the fore front in sponsoring events and providing donations, and training to several communities around the world to dessert the practice due to inherent risks it posses. Human rights organizations have also been in the forefront trying to educate the society to relinquish practicing female genital mutilation. Other avenues are also proposed through which elimination of female genital mutilation can be done. Some of the suggested methods are to use education, media coverage among many others. Legal measures are also proposed. These measures includes ratification implementation of international human rights treaties, ensure that constitutions protect the rights of women’s, sanctions FGM and declaring it a crime, empowering women to make their own decisions among many other actions. The book also looks at some of the challenges that face formal laws and policies that are geared at eliminating practice of FGM in many countries especially in Sub Sahara Africa. It is estimated that approximately 130 million girls and women have already undergone female genital mutilation. The practice is also practiced in 28 sub Saharan countries and northern African countries, Egypt among them.

The authors have managed to provide a green light to how the situation is in the whole world. It is evident that indeed female genital mutilation is a practice that many culture and community still embrace. Its effects continue to affect communities that have refused to shun away from the practice with some citing traditions as their reason for clinging on the practice.

Analysis of the book

There is no doubt that the book has provided precise and clear understanding of the topic on female genital mutilation. The author, first, provides a historical background of the problem of female gentital mutilation. This helps the readers to capture the gist or the theme of the topic on what the entire book is going to talk about. The authors begin with the possible places where the act was started. The place of origin given is southern Egypt and northern Sudan and is associated with the Islamic phenomenon. Even though, Islamic laws do not allow the practice, it is limited to this society (Muslim) as it is related or associated with the sexuality and ways of ordering a righteous society. The practice is currently limited in Islamic countries/ethnic groups in Arabian Peninsula and southern Asia. The book is also systematically written to foster easy understanding and also to ensure credibility. Figures are provided of the approximate total number of women and girls that have undergone the cut. The statistics provides is 130 million as those who have already practiced FGM and the number which undergoes the practice is given at 2milion. Such statistical figures helps in making the book authentic and therefore recommendable for academic and other importance use by various organizations and government.

The book is written by people with vast knowledge in the area. Nahid Toubia is a professional with a PH.D in public health and policy. She is recognized as being the first female surgeon in Sudan. Due to her long experience in the sector of health, she has a pool of knowledge and skills in issues to do with female genital mutilation hence making the book more authoritative

The book is as a result of an extensive research carried out in countries across the world. The book has information on the spread or rather countries where the practice is done. It further compares how laws pertaining to female genital mutilations are being enforced in different countries. For instance, the book states that there is no country that has prohibited against female genital mutilation in their constitution. Only three countries in Africa including Ghana, Uganda and Ethiopia have provisions in that are effectively have made the practice of FGM illegal. A total of sixteen countries have criminalized the practice, while in Australia cutting of labia is legal but there are slight provision allowed in the situations where a change of sex operation is undertaken. France is on the record as one of the country in the globe that cracked down on practices of genital female mutilation with 25 prosecutions. This comparison helps in enhancing their claims and arguments. Furthermore, this kind of writing has also helped in informing the public on how different countries continue to fight with the practice. The author therefore, manages to support their arguments through the extensive research that they engaged in compiling or writing the book.

Inequality is one of the points that the book highlights. Female genital mutilation is termed as a violation of human rights. However, the practice is practiced by women themselves. Therefore, this practice cannot be termed as or attributed to be causing inequality in the society. Even if FGM is practiced as a method of safeguarding or preserving culture or traditions, those who engage in it in most cases are not forced into the practice. There are few cases where women or girls are forced to engage in this act. Does practice of FGM qualify to be reprimanded in circumstances where those who practice it do it willingly? If the answer is no the practice should not be denounced but if the answer is yes , then the human rights activist and other bodies involved in the issues of women and equality should come up with measures to forge way out.

The moral value of the society has changed over time. From the onset, the book has hinted out that the practice of FGM having began by Islamic faith. The aim of engaging in the practice was to ensure that sexuality was respected and that morality is curbed. Is it not in the right spirit for those communities practicing the practice to continue without incurring resentment from different bodies? This practice could be one of the methods that could have assisted in reducing immoral behavior in the society and therefore reducing unnecessary pregnancies and infections in the society.

Another criticism of the book is its failure to provide tangible information supports on why many human rights groups and non governmental organizations have failed to eradicate the practice even after finding out the problems or effect the practice have on those who engage in it. These bodies have the required machineries, are fully informed and are aware of those communities that engage in the practice. However, there is still appeal from parties such as legal authorities, media houses and NGOs among many others to support the fight. This means that something is wrong somewhere and there is no appropriate measure or policies in place to solve it.

In conclusion, I conquer with the writers of the book that they have indeed gone far and wide in trying to bring the issues of FGM to the green light. The book is a product of extensive research which has made this credible. The authors are also well renown personalities who posses requisite skills and knowledge in the area. Regardless of few loopholes in their reasoning, the book in general has helped in creating understanding of the place of women in our society and the facts on female genital mutilation.

Work Cited

Anika, Rahman and Nahid, Toubia. Female Genital Mutilation: A guide to Laws and Policies Worldwide,(2000). New York: Zed books.