Customs of women around the world

Throughout centuries women have experienced and encountered a lot of gender inequality barriers all around the globe. Whether it is due to their ethnicity, religion, culture, skills, social traditions or more, we can still witness customs which are judged to be cruel and inhuman in several countries. These customs may imply sexual, mental and physical exploitation. Despite the amazing advancements that we have accomplished by the 21^st century, it is still obvious that we have much more to do. Some people tend to neglect the bravery and courage these women must face through traditions and customs. This brief article aims to focus on these customs towards women in several countries – still in 2021 – and to acknowledge the long path still to undertake.

Some regions/communities in Nepal: Chhaupadi

Chhaupadi is an ancient tradition which is practised in some communities of Nepal. This implies banishing menstruating women and girls to mud huts or shed for the duration of their period – or even longer. Bearing in mind that they are left there with no – or little – supplies, sanitary tools or being able to wash themselves.

This is dangerous since they are often left alone and locked down in huts which can lead to animal attacks, suffocation and other illnesses.

Why? If this is not done, it is said that it will bring their family bad luck or health problems.

Indonesia: Lip plating

Women belonging to Mursi and Surma tribes in Indonesia are subject to wear a large circular wooden or clay disc on their lips as a mark of beauty and status. This tradition often begins when girls reach puberty – 15/16 years old – and they cut off their lower lip. This can take several months.

Why? The reason why this is done is due to several meanings this can represent:

1. Beauty
2. It marks a commitment to their husbands when serving them food
3. A visual mark they belong to the Mursi tribe

Cameroon – and other African countries: breast ironing

Usually mothers – and/or female relatives – of young girls would use hard or heated objects to flatten the breasts. This would be done and used to avoid girls to attract boys at a young age and leave school or get pregnant. This may cause severe consequences in the developing organs – in this case, breasts – since they are not allowed to be developed as they should.

Why? This would control and ensure “purity” of the girls.

Parts of Africa, the Middle-East and Asia: Female Genital mutilation

There is still Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) going on in several parts of the world. This involves partial or total removal of the external female genitals – and can also include several injuries to these organs for non-medical reasons. The way this is done is through so-called “traditional circumcisers” and they will be using unconventional objects such as homemade knives and razors. Furthermore, this will be occurring with no anaesthesia and under unhygienic conditions which can lead to infections, excessive bleeding and possible death. Most times, this is made on minors.

Why? To reduce woman’s libido and therefore keep her off sexual debauchery.

Last but not least, it is fair to recognise that women around the world keep suffering – whether it is by what the initiators of these customs call “traditions”, which are inhuman acts towards women – and therefore, we need to praise these women who still do endure this. Hence, we need to keep fighting against these discriminations towards gender around the world.

Dans la même thématique, la rédaction vous propose les articles suivants :

firstsecondthird