Tolerating the Intolerable: The Case of Female Genital Mutilation

Abstract

The case of female circumcision (or female genital mutilation - FC/FGM) raises the broader question of what stance the liberal constitutional state should adopt when cultural customs offensive to its citizens are practiced in countries outside its jurisdiction or in minority communities within it. The author argues that one can support international efforts for a global ban on FC/FGM but tolerate the practice in liberal democratic societies.