Interrogating Harmful Cultural Practices

This volume examines various harmful cultural practices affecting women, drawing on feminist research and activism. It addresses issues such as forced marriage and gender violence, while exploring broader cultural implications and transformations.

Interrogating Harmful Cultural Practices delves into various discriminatory practices against women in the global South, often referred to as 'harmful cultural practices.' This term has gained traction among organizations operating within a human rights framework. The volume draws on contemporary feminist scholarship across social sciences and insights from global activists to examine practices such as veiling, forced marriage, honor-related violence, dowry-related abuse, female genital mutilation, lip plates, and sex segregation in public spaces.

The book critically assesses the concept of harmful cultural practices, exploring its analytical value in understanding gender issues. It raises important questions regarding the role of feminist thought in shaping international and NGO policies related to these practices. The authors also ponder whether Western beauty standards should be scrutinized in the same light and whether the term itself should be reconsidered from an anthropological standpoint. Additionally, the volume discusses how these practices intersect with broader processes of culturalization, religionization, and secularization, and examines the potential for challenging and transforming these harmful practices.

Through empirical case studies from regions including Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the UK, Interrogating Harmful Cultural Practices offers valuable insights for scholars in sociology, anthropology, development, and law. The book emphasizes themes of gender, the body, violence, and women's agency, making it a significant resource for those interested in understanding and addressing the complexities of cultural practices that impact women's rights and well-being.