Mary Nyangweso

Violence is a common phenomenon the world over, and it is about power, control, and the domination of the other. Gender-based violence is a social construct that is sometimes normalized based on gender ideals. During war, violence takes on a different role. It is viewed as an effective tool of domination of the other. Gender-based violence occurs not only to dominate but also to humiliate and to destroy one’s identity, and relationships. The African woman confronts the challenge of normalized gender-based violence and violence as a tool of war. This chapter examines this challenge to highlight health and human rights violations she is exposed to daily. Drawing from various examples, the author describes how gender-based violence is socially constructed and legitimized in Africa and shows how such legitimation enables gender-based violence during conflict situations. The chapter employs feminist and intersectionality frameworks toward highlighting complex social dynamics that inform gender-based violence in Africa.

Leyla Hussein, a 32-year-old Londoner and leading activist against female genital cutting, conducted an experimental study to test the influence of “political correctness” on attitudes toward female genital cutting. With a signed petition supporting female genital cutting, she approached shoppers and told them that she wanted “to protect her ‘culture, traditions and rights.’” She received nineteen signatures to her petition in thirty minutes. Some of those who signed the petition stated that they believed that female genital cutting was wrong, but they agreed to sign the petition out of respect of Ms. Hussein’s culture. In a world that affirms both cultural and human rights, negotiation of both human and group rights tend to lead to “political correctness.” When these values are justified by religion, they are even harder to negotiate. How can one reconcile human and corporate rights without compromising the rights of women? This essay explores implications of political correctness on efforts to affirm women’s rights. Drawing examples from female genital cutting, the paper examines implications of moral theories like moral universalism and cultural relativism to argue for cross-cultural universals approach as possible reconciliatory approach towards affirming human rights.