Ouch.

Female genital circumcision is certainly a painful social construction. However, it is that- a social construction. I want every female who wishes to abstain from mutilation to have the opportunity to receive that liberation. I personally believe it to be a result of the dominator role which is present in almost every culture. While it feels like we would be living in the dark ages to permit such behavior, many social constructions are harmful, yet will not be rescinded out of a unified belief in the reasons for the construction. If the whole believes something to be true, or of importance, it will likely not be abandoned unless given good reason. I wish every human to be granted the rights stated in the UDHR, but not every person would wish to have every stipulation extended to them, out of ignorance perhaps, but perhaps out of cultural and historical rule. If there is oppression, and the people feel oppressed, then it would be imperative to grant them the rights they feel they have been denied. Though the argument may be seemingly ignorant for the enforcement of 'backward' policies and traditions, it is cultural relevance that dictates what goes on in the world, not what we wish to go on in the world. Maybe the world will live in harmony one day, and everyone will be independent, free, and respected. That is what I would hope. However, there is a large chasm between what I want (speaking as a semi-educated woman in the year 2008) and what the rest of the world wants.