Reformulating Women’s Human Rights Implementation Through a Feminist Perspective: The Case of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a widespread and deeply rooted practice in African countries, despite legal mechanisms prohibiting it, constituting a serious violation of women's human rights. This research is guided by the following question: Why does FGM persist despite these prohibitions? The study’s objective is to analyze and understand the underlying reasons for the persistence of FGM, arguing that the failure of its eradication does not lie in the absence of legal norms, but rather in the way these norms are interpreted and implemented. The relevance of this research is justified by the urgency of developing effective implementation mechanisms that protect women's rights and dignity, while respecting their cultural identities. Feminist Theory is adopted as the theoretical framework, providing critical tools to analyze the power structures that sustain FGM. The research used analytical, descriptive, and explanatory methods, based on bibliographical research of books, academic articles, international organizations' reports, and testimonies of victims. The findings indicate that the legal systems seeking to eradicate FGM operate within patriarchal structures and are often interpreted through patriarchal perspectives, which prevents these legal systems from effectively overcoming gender-based domination. The study concludes that the elimination of FGM requires gender-sensitive implementation strategies grounded in feminist perspectives, with the active participation of affected communities. Only through inclusive and context-aware approaches will it be possible to change social norms and behaviors in an effective, structural, and lasting manner.