FGM Practices in Ethiopia - Research Paper Example

The Policy Research Proposal Research/Situational analysis of FGM practices in Ethiopia and how well to structure the legal, outreach services, health promotion, and education programmes to address the problem Background Ethiopia is one of the African countries where female genital mutilation (FGM) is still practiced1. According to World Health Organization report of 1990, Ethiopia percentage of FGM cases stood at 85 per cent2. Despite being prevalent practice in many of African and Middle East countries, in its very nature, FGM is a form of human rights violation especially to girls and women in general. First, the UN Charter on Human Rights expresses and postulates that all individuals both men and women have equal rights to enjoy a full range of human rights and freedoms3. In Ethiopia and just like other African countries, FGM is a product of culture that is associated with beliefs, behavioral norms, customs, rituals, social hierarchies, and religious, together with political and economic systems4. Despite a cultural background deeply rooted in the conscious of both men and women in these societies, it is important for appropriate initiatives to be undertaken by all those who see this as violation of women’s rights. Such appropriate actions are envisaged to include among others use of legal measures, outreach services, and health promotion and education programmes. Therefore, the sole purpose of the funding will be at fulfilling the set objectives within these three broad category areas in Ethiopia. Literature Review World Health Organization (WHO) in its 2008 report described FGM to involve all the processes and steps that usually involve “partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons and is considered a human rights violation”5. Momoh (2005) has noted that FGM is a concept that has been supported by centuries of tradition, culture and false beliefs where it is seem to be perpetuated by poverty, illiteracy, and low status in women, as well as inadequate healthcare facilities6. In these societies, the practice of FGM is inherently linked to overall ideas about identity, sexuality, gender, and power. in addition, women who accepts to undergo FGM are regarded in high esteem in the society that practice it while those who do not embrace the practice are viewed as immature women, unaccepted in the community and largely unqualified for marriage and childbearing7. In essence women who decide to undergo FGM are motivated by the need to be accepted in the society since punishment associated with not undergoing the practice include becoming a social outcast, rejection by peers and family, and loss of security and support8. Momoh further note that FGM is widespread in most parts of East, West, and Central Africa together with some parts of Middle East and in some small immigrant communities of North America and Europe9. The violation of human rights is evident in FGM especially with regard to how the process is carried out where it involves mutilation of removing the tips of clitoris, complete clitoridectomy, or excision of some of the external genitalia accompanied by infibulations, that is narrowing or closure of vagina opening by sewing with catgut or using thorns10. FGM is always traumatic and painful; women or young girls are always held down during the procedure and then incapacitated for several days or weeks. International laws upon which majority of countries are signatory recognize and advocate for promotion and enhancement of human rights. According to Vienna World Human Rights Conference of 1993, human rights were identified to be, “universal, indivisible, and interdependent and interrelated”11. At the same time, the conference stressed that human rights of women and girls are, “inalienable, integral, and indivisible part of universal human rights”12. A statement that was reinforced in Beijing Platform for Action in 1995 where resolution was that universality of human rights includes also human rights for women. Donnelly disputes the notion that FGM is a cultural aspect and thus cultural relativism need to be observed in looking at the concept where his assertion is that, “appeals to traditional practices and values all to often are a mere cloak for self-interest or arbitrary rule”13. As much numerous literature exists and explores the concept of FGM, there is deficiency in terms of practical investigating and recommending on the need to restructure the legal system and adopt necessary measures to deal with those who violate women rights, a situation that is further made worse by lack of outreach services, health promotion and education programmes. Research Questions As a dominant issue in international law and debate, FGM has wide spectrum of analysis and investigating but with regard to Ethiopian society, the key question to be investigated and appropriate answers provided include:1) how the legal system of Ethiopia can be modified to incorporate measures of protecting women rights especially emanating from FGM activities. 2) What should be the composition of outreach services in addressing FGM in Ethiopia? 3) How well should the issue of health be linked to FGM and how can it be communicated to the relevant concerned groups. 4) And how, where, and when should the promotion and education programs be effected and promoted in addressing FGM among Ethiopian population. Methodology: 1). The research will carry out literature review on the issue of FGM in Ethiopia and how prevalent the problem is currently. 2). There will be field tour to some of the affected areas or regions in Ethiopia especially during the periods when FGM is taking place, such an initiative will enable observation and precise identification of what is taking place. 3). Focus Group discussion with key and relevant participant chosen from broad population of Ethiopian society will be used. These will be on week basis where the views, suggestions, and observations of the participants about FGM will be recorded for further discussion and action. 4). Interviewing of members of the society will also be part of the methodology to be adopted where there will be both structured and non-structured interviewing. Some of the questions to feature prominently in the research will include what should be done to FGM in the larger society of Ethiopia; how well should the communities practicing it be educated to abandon the practice; which more constructive practices or rites of passage should be adopted and which are friendlier to the rights of women. 5). Also, situational analysis of some specific cases will be part of the methodology. 6). Lastly, there will be the writing of research report combining all information and data collected based on relevant theory and previous research. Limitations and Challenges: FGM being a societal aspect that has deep roots in the culture and beliefs of Ethiopian population, its study, understanding and appropriate recommendations needs relatively long time as one may imagine. Therefore, time constraint given the short period the research has to be carried out enough and vital information may be missed, observation of some aspects as first-hand information may not be adequate, and generally, the report recommendations might possibly be from a small portion of the various communities engaged in the practice. Further, limited time complicate the fact that Ethiopia being a society that has fully embraced and accepted FGM, the public awareness and education programmes might take long time to change the conscious of the population. At the same time, reluctance tendencies may be wide with regard to fostering community awareness as no individual will want to be seen going against or fighting the community’s culture. Amharic is the dominant and popular spoken language in this country. Given the fact that individuals of the Western Background are the ones to introduce necessary changes in the communities, there will be challenges of language barrier, cultural conflict, and tendencies of suspicions, all which will combine to drag the objectives of the team and research in general. Lack of adequate legal framework to address FGM in Ethiopian society is another drawback especially given the political of the country hence little cooperation might originate from the government due to sensitive nature of the issue. Conclusion FGM is a practice that in all perspectives constitutes violation of women and girls human rights. Ethiopia regardless of its orientation to the issue of FGM has an international obligation to protect and promote human rights of all of its citizens’ women and girls included. Therefore, the research to be undertaken will be one of the major steps in bold perspective of addressing the FGM issue and bringing together all key stakeholders to mitigate the practice through modification and adoption of key programmes. Bibliography Humphreys, Janice and Campbell, Jacquelyn C. Family Violence and Nursing Practice. NY, Springer Publishing Company, 2010. http://books.google.com/books?id=OKC4S5BZaP0C&pg=PA59&dq=FGM+in+Afghanistan&hl=en&ei=DvgFTaOKFomTswaqsbzvCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=FGM%20in%20Afghanistan&f=false (Accessed 13 December 2010). Momoh, Comfort. Female genital mutilation. London, Radcliffe Publishing, 2005. http://books.google.com/books?id=dVjIP0RfVAMC&pg=PA46&dq=FGM+in+Afghanistan&hl=en&ei=DvgFTaOKFomTswaqsbzvCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=FGM%20in%20Afghanistan&f=true (Accessed 13 December 2010). Shah, Niaz. Women, the Koran and international human rights law: the experience of Pakistan. Netherlands, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2006. http://books.google.com/books?id=s0b3pMYaslUC&pg=PA208&dq=violation+of+human+rights+ion+AFGHANISTAN&hl=en&ei=pPYFTbuwCo7MswbYqtjnCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=violation%20of%20human%20rights%20ion%20AFGHANISTAN&f=true (Accessed 13 December 2010). Read More