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Abstract

Despite the increased global awareness of the dangerous consequences that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has on women’s mental and physical health, little research has been conducted on how this practice affects women’s empowerment. Considering introduction of the laws criminalising the practice within the United Kingdom (UK), with the aim at helping to prevent the practice and protect women and girls from undergoing FGM and the subsequent consequences, it comes as a surprise that the practice remains prevalent. This dissertation aims to analyse, using secondary data, how the laws in the UK are protecting women and how this in turn influences women’s empowerment. Research has been conducted through thematic analysis of secondary data of other scholar’s relevant work. The findings of this research indicate that the laws criminalising FGM within the UK do not protect women with regards to their social, economic, or political empowerment. These findings highlight that FGM is a deep-rooted cultural tradition that many communities within the UK continue to practice, with many social barriers which prevent the laws from protecting women. This dissertation recommends that further primary research is needed within the UK to understand these barriers and the extent to which they contribute to the failure of law enforcement. A deeper understanding will inform policymakers how to enable improvement which will benefit women and empower them.

Course: International Development - BA - C28415

Date Deposited: 2022-02-17

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13806.html