Title: Review Article on Harmful Traditional Practices
Author: Uzma Eram
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i2.136
Abstract
There are particular forms of violence against women and girls which are defended on the basis of tradition, culture, religion or superstition by some community members. These are often known as ‘harmful traditional practices. These are largely carried out without the consent of the girl/woman involved and thus constitute a violation of human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Harmful traditional practices constitute violence against women and girls, e.g. acid violence, breast flattening, cosmetic mutilation, dowry and bride price, early/forced marriage and marriage by abduction/rape, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), ‘honour’ crimes, corrective rape, and female infanticide, ritual sexual slavery, virginity testing, practices related to initiation or menstruation, some widowhood rituals and accusations of witchcraft levied at older women.
Keywords: harmful, traditional practices, review article.
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