Rites vs. Rights: female genital cutting at the crossroads of local values and global norms

Although culture is frequently advanced as a key obstacle to children’s rights in Africa, the reality of people’s lives shows that the outlook of many communities incorporates both local and global values. This is becoming particularly evident in the case of female genital cutting which is being adapted by practising communities or abandoned altogether despite the fact that it is informed by deeply rooted socio-cultural ideologies. Hence, this article seeks to explore the various ways communities in Africa are trying to adapt long-held values while also maintaining the essence of their culture with regards to female genital cutting.