Peer-reviewed article
Female Genital Mutilation in Bohra Muslim Community: A Conundrum to Muslim Women and Child Rights
Anushka Srivastava, Anju Pandey ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This paper examines the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) among Bohra Muslims in India, where approximately 75% of the community practices it despite government denial of its existence. The procedure is performed on young girls by untrained midwives, causing physical and psychological harm and lifelong health complications. The authors discuss how the practice violates women's and children's rights to health, privacy, equality, and freedom from cruelty, and recommend legal reforms to address this issue in India.
Key points
- Approximately 75% of the Bohra Muslim community in India practices FGM, though the government does not acknowledge its existence
- FGM is performed by untrained midwives on young girls, resulting in lifelong physical and mental ailments
- The practice violates multiple rights including the right to privacy, equality, highest standard of health, and freedom from cruelty
- International bodies such as WHO and UNICEF have responded to the practice, but the legal situation in India remains inadequate
- The practice is driven by patriarchal mindsets and cultural norms within the community
Limitations
This paper does not provide epidemiological data, prevalence rates, or specific health outcomes. It does not evaluate any intervention or present primary research data on affected individuals.
Abstract
The female body is worshipped around the world in several cultures given the power it holds when it comes to procreating a new life. With numerous conventions, statutes, legislation, and regulations, it is believed that society is thriving progressively, however, after digging deeper, humans stumble across certain norms and customs, that make us question if society has actually progressed as humans claim to. In this paper, the researchers have shed light on such a significant conundrum, which generally does not attract the deserving attention which is “Female Genital Mutilation” among Bohra Muslims. The government fails to acknowledge its existence despite 75% of the community practicing it discreetly. It is not only mentally brutal but the physical attributes associated with it can shake humans to their core since this mutilation practice is performed on young girls by untrained midwives subjecting the victims to life-long ailments. Several ground reports of the victims who have gone under the knife merely to satisfy the patriarchal mindset and the factors influencing and encouraging the same have been mentioned in the paper. Further, the researchers have widely discussed the response of international bodies such as WHO, and UNICEF against the brutal practice and the prevailing situation in India. The current status of FGM with regard to the legal system is disheartening since prime facie, the practice infringes the women’s rights such as the right to privacy, the right to equality, the right to attain the highest standard of health, the right to intercourse, as well as the right to motherhood. However, it does not halt here, FGM also infringes child rights by subjecting them to cruelty. The researchers have recommended certain aspects which could be incorporated into the Indian legal system to tackle the conundrums risen by female genital mutilation in Bohra Muslims.