ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out the historical and cultural context to current understanding from a Scottish and UK perspective. It seeks to contribute to the developing narrative in which practising community perspectives are included in the discussion to support future debates and understanding of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in order to end this violence against girls and women. FGM differs from most forms of gender-based violence because women are not only the victims of the practice but women are also involved in perpetration. Postcolonial feminist critique on Western feminism has brought an important perspective to understanding how FGM is maintained within practising cultures. It has been argued that postcolonial critique privileges cultural identities over gender solidarity and that cultural relativism/pluralism limit opportunities for moral judgement. Culture reflects the values, norms and beliefs held by members of a community and is internalised through socialisation processes for periods, often spanning generations.
