Analysis On Female Circumcision: Can A Razor Impede The Identity Of A Female?

Harnoor Johal, B.A. LLB. (Hons). & Ms. Ankit Paul Kaur, Assistant Professor of Law, School of Law. Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India.

ABSTRACT

A woman is a epitome of strength and care, smilingly facing all odds. Recent evolving scenarios have led to a certain change in the primitive mind set of people, concentrating women in perspective; but in certain spheres the mindset towards women is still lacking, followed by gruesome activities which lead to anguish to the women concerned.

Humans often take outright responsibility of contrivance done in the name of religion and most importantly customs. Upon a closer view, one can pinpoint different shades of the archaic customs deep rooted in our society and intellect of the people. Any tradition or custom, once found to be in contravention to human rights, are no longer associated with a country, but transform into a global concern. One such issue kept camouflaged in the name of tradition or custom is of Female Genital Mutilation.

Female Genital Mutilation (often referred to as FGM) is a catastrophic operation, during which the female genitals are partly or entirely eliminated or injured with the aim of repressing a woman’s sexual feelings. Most often the mutilation is performed before puberty, often on girls between the age of four and eight, but recently it is growingly performed on babies who are only a couple of days, weeks or months old.

FGM, in many instances, is also discerned as a way to deterge a girl from impure thoughts and desire. The perception is that a girl who is circumcised does not get as aroused as one whose clitoris is intact. Due to the nature and consequences of FGM, it is a violation of the human rights of women and children. It infringes on the right to life and physical integrity, the right to health and the right to freedom from torture, barbaric and unusual treatment, and ferocity. Since FGM is mostly practiced on girls below the age of 18 years, it is also a violation of rights enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 (UNCRC) and violates the guarantee of non- discrimination.