Between these poles of beauty and butchery: What is the dynamic between the ‘cosmetic versus cultural surgery’ discourse and efforts to end FGM in the UK? (2013)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Alice Edwards
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To understand the ‘cosmetic versus cultural surgery’ discourse and analyse if,and how,it relates to efforts to end FGM in the UK.
Study Population: Key informants
Findings: The cultural imperative of FGM cannot easily be separated from a woman’s ‘choice’ to modify the appearance of her genitals to conform to a ‘social norm’. The cultural norms that encourage,or coerce women into having FGCS (female genital cosmetic surgery) procedures may be less explicit but FGM and FGCS can be associated in terms of cementing societal expectations of a woman’s body,and the ‘Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women’ calls for all appropriate measures to be taken to modify social and cultural patterns which are based on stereotyped roles for men and women. Therefore,whether or not they are recognized as one and the same,FGM & FGCS both demand to receive attention if the UK is committed to achieving women’s rights and equality
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Northern Europe
Country(ies):United Kingdom