Female Activism, Empowerment, and Social Networks: In Case of Female Genital Mutilation

Discourses on human rights in the 21st century have developed a spectrum from universalism to ethnic parochialism. Women’s human rights are a significant issue in underdeveloped and developing nations, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the most controversial practices causing violence against women. Scholars have utilized varied theoretical approaches to the practice, including intra-culturalism, socio-culturalism, patriarchism, feminism, modernization theory, convention theory, etc. Anti-FGM activism strategies of many NGOs, however, are limited to education about FGM’s harmful effects. Such strategies are not sufficient to challenge traditional and patriarchal hegemony and the social reproduction system that make FGM continue in practice. A different way of social imaginary as a new cultural frame should be devised based on overall networks as a newly “imagined community.” A girl’s cultural and societal contexts need to be broadly included to empower women’s sustainable change of their positions against FGM. This study demonstrates a field work in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia for three months in 2010-2011. Interviewees were selected from five tribes including mutilated and un-mutilated girls, FGM practitioners, village leaders, policymakers, and community members. Research findings show that FGM is the process of cultural construction of the girls' self-identity as culturally legitimate wives and mothers. When girls escape from the community to avoid the threat of FGM and return with consistent survival tactics, they could gain societal acceptance. The findings emphasize that social safety networks for anti-FGM are very significant in supporting not only value education but also community-oriented survival strategies. Female activism should utilize social networks to ensure women’s social survival and enable women to be accepted in their community despite refusal to undergo FGM. This study provides the contextual analyses could develop social networks and policies that may pave a new way of social imagination.