Paper Example on Women Rights

Introduction

Reading through the WHO Fact Sheet 241(2012), female circumcision comes out as a human rights problem and not a medical issue. Medical issues associated with female circumcision can be adequately addressed through the human rights angle. PLAN's are against female circumcision and considers it a cultural issue. PLAN's approach towards fighting the practice is good since it offers a holistic approach and stands a greater chance to succeed. UNICEF's essential points in tackling the issue are that, the practice is on d decline in some countries, opposition toward the practice is growing especially among women, adoption of holistic approach in the fight against the practice, the strategies should be tailor-made for each country, and the study of different aspects of the social, economic status can help in the fight.

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The opponents of FGC abandon health since those who engaged in the practice were aware of the dangers but felt that the risk is worth when compared to social and cultural benefits. They also realized that the health information during the anti-circumcision campaign was based on worst case scenarios and was in many instances not real. Additionally, it became difficult to establish medical facts on FGC. The campaign shifted towards human rights issue whereby they argued that FGC infringed on the rights of the child, the right of women, right of freedom form torture, and the right to health as well as body integrity. Nevertheless, the approach has been criticized for portraying women from third world countries as powerless and incapable of self-determination, self-expression and reasoned decision making. Consent becomes a big issue with FGC because it is conducted to minors who are not mature enough to make their own decision. Similar is done to those seeking perfect vagina although the name is changed to cosmetic surgery.

An association such as AAWORD although they support the fight against F/G/C calls for it to be addressed with ignorance, exploitation, poverty, and obscurantism of those that practice in mind. According to Tamir, the fight against F/G/C doesn't lead to structural change and that the deeply rooted hostility between those who practice and westerners in that those practice feel that the west is condemning their acts while remaining silent on the plight of women in general. Nussbaum agrees with the argument adding that the energy toward the fight against F/G/C is disproportionate in comparison to the energy directed towards other abuses against women. The anti-F/F/C is not a form of imperialism. However, the approach sends wrong signals especially when they concentrate on pain and medical issues whereas their conception of beauty involves painful and potentially damaging procedures. It is therefore important that people first work towards societal structural change in countries with high prevalence rates and the rest will fall in place. The provision of the Protocol on Women's Rights in Africa touches on some abuses women go through and seeks ways of empowering women. It is a step in the right direction since it will culminate in structural change (Alston & Goodman, pp. 572-576; Smith, pp. 562-564).

There are family practices that infringe on the rights of women but somehow are over-looked because they are seen as cultural practices that ought to be respected. For instance, son preference, arranged marriages, incest and required dress in public. Tackling such practices call for sensitivity. Although the rights of women ought to be vindicated, women should win the rights in a way that allows them to coexist still the communities they choose. Access to education and government goodwill can help fight the vices. The government by giving women a powerful position is a good strategy. (Alston & Goodman, pp. 577-581).

References

Alston, P., & Goodman, R. (2013). International human rights: The successor to international human rights in context: Law, politics, and morals. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cohen, A. (2017, October 11). Sexual Cosmetic Surgery. Retrieved from http://www.marieclaire.com/health-fitness/news/sexual-cosmetic-surgery-genitas

Hogenboom, M. (2012, July 24). The rise in women seeking a perfect vagina. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18947106

Smith, R. K. (2013). Texts and Materials on International Human Rights. doi:10.4324/9780203410059