An Ethical Interrogation on Female Genital Mutilation
Keywords:
Gender Inequality, Ethics, Informed Consent, Relativism and Human RightsAbstract
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the issues that has received a lot of attention around the globe. It is one of the cultural practices that has come under close scrutiny in regard to the treatment of women and female children and violations of their human rights. Female genital mutilation is widespread and deeply ingrained in Africa and Asia. In this paper, the researchers take a slightly different approach with an ethical interrogation of female genital mutilation. The qualitative method of research was adopted. Using the lenses of medical and human rights ethics to investigate the practice of FGM, it states that the major ethical problem with FGM is that it is a pointless procedure that offers no real advantages to the girls who are subjected to it. The young girls—the main victims—also suffer unjustified injuries as a result, and it is carried out without consent. The fundamental medical ethical principles are thereby broken. To conclude, FGM is morally reprehensible because there are no clear medical justifications for it and it is a potential hazard to females.
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