Interrogating the politicization of female genital cutting (FGC) within conditions of asymmetrical cultural convergence. A case study of Northern Ireland

MacNamara, Nóirín, Mackle, Danielle, Pierson, Claire ORCID: 0000-0003-0961-7157 and Bloomer, Fiona (2020) Interrogating the politicization of female genital cutting (FGC) within conditions of asymmetrical cultural convergence. A case study of Northern Ireland. Women's Studies International Forum, 82. p. 102391.

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Abstract

This article analyses discourses on so-called female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) in Northern Ireland. We identify a tension between affected communities' need for improved supports and resources on the one hand, and the absence of resources and support, or inappropriate and sometimes harmful interventions, on the other hand. We conclude that this mismatch between requirements and actual provisions is one effect of the isolated politicization of FGM/C, in ways that reinforce global North gender norms. We argue that non-hypocritical transcultural engagements require critical assessment of how the (historically and culturally specific) gender binary organises global North perspectives on all forms of non-therapeutic genital cutting. Two significant barriers are identified. First, there is a lack of awareness in Northern Ireland of the origins of current double standards in the regulation of genital cutting. Second, the ‘two communities’ model of Northern Irish politics impedes the development of interlinked and contestatory publics.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	FGC, gender binary, consent, Northern Ireland, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Oyèrónké Oyĕwùmí
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2020 09:13
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 23:39
DOI:	10.1016/j.wsif.2020.102391
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3095585