African culture versus human rights: the case of FGM among the Maasai society in East Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	African culture versus human rights: the case of FGM among the Maasai society in East Africa
Author:	Mollel, Andrew
Year:	2008
Periodical:	Journal of African and international law
Volume:	1
Issue:	2
Pages:	29-46
Language:	English
Geographic term:	East Africa
Subjects:	human rights female circumcision Maasai
Abstract:	This article examines the debate on the relationship between African cultural traditions and human rights. Taking the case of female genital mutilation (FGM) among the Maasai in East Africa as an example, the article suggests that rather than demonizing and condemning those who have been performing particular practices for years immemorial, a careful examination is required to find better ways of either modifying or discarding the practice without putting to ridicule the practitioners. The paper argues for cultural tolerance and a pluralist approach to human rights (rather than a narrow, universal, Western or broader cultural relativist approach) and suggests points of support for the implementation of international human rights norms in different cultural set-ups. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]