Female Genital Mutilation: Why Legislation is not Enough.

In the context of the current Western Australian debate on criminalising female genital mutilation, I argue that specific legislation prohibiting the procedure will in itself be insufficient in eradicating the process. To effectively combat FGM it is important to understand the underlying gender assumptions and cultural representations that inform the practice. Instead of using legislative reform, education leading to social and cultural reform will be more effective. Although various education schemes are currently in place, …

…prisonerofritual.htm * "Men's traditional culture", Economist, 10/08/96, Vol. 340 Issue 7978, p34, http://library.uwa.edu.au:2068:jndetail. * "To Mutilate in the Name of Jehovah or Allah" http://www.fgmnetwork.org/samialdeeb/Mutilate/to mutilatejehovah.htm Law Reports * Family Law Council, Female Genital Mutilation: A Report To the Attorney General, Family Law Council, 1994 Legislation * Criminal Code Act (WA) 1913 Pamphlets * Western Australia Female Genital Mutilation Program Information Booklet, December 1999, Part of Multicultural access unit north metropolitan health service (HDWA)