International Journal of Gender & Women's Studies

In the hunt for ‘Taharat’ practicing the darkest secret of ‘Khafd’: Female Genital Circumcision a violation of Human Rights in India
Ms. Ankita Kumar Gupta

Abstract
Khafd or Female Genital Circumcision (FGC) is an ancient procedure in which there is a total or partial removal of the external genitals of a girl for non-medical reasons. It is one of the most horrendous forms of Gender Violence against little girls who are not even aware of what exactly is happening with them and their body. FGC is a global problem, as in around 92 countries have some part of their population practicing FGC. FGC is mainly practiced in subsects of religions like Islam, Christianity and Judaism. In India it is mainly practiced in Gujarat, Maharashtra and some parts of Kerela but it has its presence pan India. The unawareness relating to the same is even worse, therefore the main aim of author is to spread awareness about the concept, to elaborate on the negative impact of Female Genital Circumcision and the highlight the need of the legal ban on the practice. In India there is no specific law prohibiting FGC, in 2018 a PIL was filled in the Supreme Court for the same which was ordered to be put before a Larger Bench; which has not been done up till now. Therefore, FGC continues to be practiced behind the doors of secrecy in India violating the basic Human Rights of little girls and women class as a whole.

Full Text: PDF      DOI: 10.15640/ijgws.v10n2a3