Female Genital Mutilation: Why Legislation is not Enough in Western Australia

Female Genital Mutilation: Why Legislation is not Enough



In the context of the current Western Australian debate on criminalising female genital mutilation, I argue that specific legislation prohibiting the procedure will in itself be insufficient in eradicating the process. To effectively combat FGM it is important to understand the underlying gender assumptions and cultural representations that inform the practice. Instead of using legislative reform, education leading to social and cultural reform will be more effective. Although various education schemes are currently in place, these have not achieved the desired result either. A shift in focus from viewing female genital mutilation as purely a women’s medical issue to dealing with it within its cultural context as an issue that is influenced by men as well, is likely to be more successful.


I begin by exploring what Female Genital mutilation actually is by looking at the types of FGM which occur and the terminology ...