StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

FGM Practices in Ethiopia - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
This research will begin with the statement that Ethiopia is one of the African countries where female genital mutilation (FGM) is still practiced. According to the World Health Organization report of 1990, Ethiopia percentage of FGM cases stood at 85 percent…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.6% of users find it useful
FGM Practices in Ethiopia
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "FGM Practices in Ethiopia"

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
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“FGM Practices in Ethiopia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words”, n.d.)
FGM Practices in Ethiopia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/politics/1747155-its-a-research-proposal
(FGM Practices in Ethiopia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
FGM Practices in Ethiopia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words. https://studentshare.org/politics/1747155-its-a-research-proposal.
“FGM Practices in Ethiopia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/politics/1747155-its-a-research-proposal.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF FGM Practices in Ethiopia

Starbucks and Human Rights Violations

Aside from such allegations of unfair labor practices, Starbucks has also encountered serious problems with its acquisition of raw materials, particularly coffee beans, from economically backward countries such as ethiopia.... Starbucks and Human Rights Violations Starbucks is considered as one of the most recognizable brands in the world....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Comparing Ethiopia to Other Countries

“The role of Lewis theory in ethiopia is also showing a negative trend.... The relevance of big push theory in ethiopia is seen from the aid given by the government and the UN in various situations including the natural calamities.... Comparing ethiopia to Other Countries Name of Author Author's Affiliation Author Note Author note with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Comparing ethiopia to Other Countries Neoclassical Growth Theory: Neoclassical growth theory purports the idea that a country can attain steady economic growth only through the proper deployment of labor, capital and technology....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Corporate Oil Investing in Ethiopia and Egypt

Corporate Oil Investing in ethiopia and Egypt Name: Institution: CORPORATE OIL INVESTING in ethiopia AND EGYPT Investment project KPIOS was established in 1966 in Kuwait and is a world leading service provider in the oil sector, as well as in the engineering of industrial paraphernalia such as pressure vessels and pipes.... Corporate Oil Investing in ethiopia and Egypt CORPORATE OIL INVESTING in ethiopia AND EGYPT Investment project KPIOS was established in 1966 in Kuwait and is a world leading service provider in the oil sector, as well as in the engineering of industrial paraphernalia such as pressure vessels and pipes....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Human Rights and the Ethiopian Government

rg) has said that "the aftermath of ethiopia's landmark May 2005 parliamentary elections has laid bare the deeply entrenched patterns of political repression, human rights abuse and impunity that characterize the day-to-day reality of governance in much of the country".... The EPRF was busy coercing voters into a repeat result from the 2000 election with abusive tactics that the HRW researchers explain as "government officials and security forces in much of ethiopia mak[ing] routine use of various forms of human rights abuse to deter and punish dissent" (Ibid....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Simien National Park - Ethiopia

“In northern ethiopia on the Amhara plateau in the western Simen Mountains, 120km north-east of Gondar.... It is listed on World Heritage in Danger list in the year 1996.... The park is unique in its geographical, ecological and biodiversity.... The first section of this paper provides… The same section covers various aspects of ecological diversity....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Cultural Controversy

t is most prevalent in sub Saharan Africa especially among the Somali culture and several others, North, East and horn of Africa communities especially Somalia and ethiopia (Reymond, et al n.... Female Genital Mutilation (fgm) involves partial or total removal of the external parts of the female genitalia; these include; the clitoris, or labia and other tissues around the Urethra and virginal (Reymond, et al n.... Different cultures practice it for different reasons,… The cut is often referred to as circumcision, who to those unfamiliar with it makes it analogous to male circumcision and legitimizes it; conversely, the extent of the cutting is not comparable to Female Genital Mutilation (fgm) involves partial or total removal of the external parts of the female genitalia; these include; the clitoris, or labia and other tissues around the Urethra and virginal (Reymond, et al n....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Female Genital Mutilation in the UK

Female genital mutilation (fgm) is an unhealthy practice that involves cutting off the female genitals based on cultural, social and even religious beliefs.... Female genital mutilation has been a demonstration of violence against women which has in fact never been effectively… This is because there are still reported cases of several women caught in quite a predicament given that they live within cultural communities where in which they are bound to fgm (Weil 2006, Herzi 1990)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Analysis of David Parks Ethiopia

The paper "Analysis of David Parks' ethiopia" is an attempt to analyze one painting from this particular era, namely, ethiopia.... The painting does not have any connection with the word ethiopia.... nbsp;This painting would be analyzed using other paintings of the same era in order to better understand the context of the painting and the purpose it serves....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us