Gender, Human Rights, and Cultural Relativism. Tackling the Issues of FGM and Gender Violence

A screening of the documentary “The Cruel Cut,” by our notable speaker and co- founder of the organisation Daughters of Eve, Leyla Hussein; followed by a panel discussion with Ms Hussein and Dexter Dias QC

In December of 2013 the Home Affairs Select Committee announced an investigation into the issue of FGM in the UK. This was in recognition of the hard work of many campaigners to highlight the fact that in the 28 years female genital mutilation has been a criminal offence there has not been a successful prosecution.

This event will look to address the reality and the causes of FGM. It will look at the prosecution vs prevention debate, and try to uncover a way forward. The issues covered will include: Women's Human Rights and gender violence, the public-private divide, and the social and political structures reinforcing women’s vulnerability in the private sphere. Can women’s rights be protected when their identity is so intrinsically linked to specific family roles? What is the role of religion, culture, and the state, in relation to these structures and to FGM?

Speakers

• Leyla Hussein, FGM activist and survivor, and Co-Founder, Daughters of Eve
• Dexter Dias QC, Barrister (Queen's Councel), Garden's Court Chambers
• Dr Anicee Van Engeland, Lecturer in Law, School of Law, and Deputy Director (Programmes), Centre of Islamic & Middle-Eastern Law, SOAS

Chair

• Dr Saladin Meckled-Garcia, Lecturer in Human Rights and Political Theory, UCL School of Public Policy, and Co-Director of the UCL Institute for Human Rights