A Legal Framework to Eradicate Female Circumcision

Abstract

The traditional practices of genital mutilation¹ of young girls and women, hereinafter called FC (female circumcision) have in recent times generated incessant controversy in political and academic circles.

The campaign against the practice has similarly captured the interest of sociologists, interest groups and, until recent times, the law.² Because of the medical dangers of FC, proposals to eradicate the activity have been suggestive of an outright ban; but others hold the view that the necessity for legislation to prohibit the practice will be unrealistic.³ As will be seen below, a few jurisdictions who have in the past partially legislated against it, met with little or no success. Paradoxically, the problem exists.⁴