Breaking the Cycle: Overcoming Harmful Cultural Practices and Prioritizing Health

Breaking the Cycle: Overcoming Harmful Cultural Practices and Prioritizing Health

Culture has a significant influence on the lives of individuals, shaping beliefs, behaviours, and norms. Culturally significant practices such as female genital mutilation, forced marriages, and honour killings have become deeply rooted in certain societies worldwide. Not only do these practices violate human rights, but they also pose a severe threat to health and wellbeing, particularly of women and girls. It’s high time for societies to break free from the cycle of harmful practices and prioritize health, safety and equality.

Female genital mutilation, commonly known as FGM, is a prehistoric practice that involves the removal or damage of external female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Despite being illegal in most countries, it is still a common practice in many parts of Africa. According to UNICEF, over 200 million girls and women have undergone FGM. Apart from severe psychological trauma, the practice has both short and long-term health effects such as impaired sexual function and childbirth complications.

Child marriage is another harmful practice that robs girls of their childhood and education. It increases the risk of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and maternal mortality. Girls who marry before the age of 18 are often forced to leave school and are more likely to suffer from long-term medical conditions such as HIV, obstetric fistula, and depression.

Honour killings, often inflicted on women by their families for perceived immoral behaviour such as infidelity, are prevalent in some parts of the world. The practice, fuelled by deeply entrenched patriarchal values, results in the loss of many innocent lives and violates the basic right to life. In some cases, survivors are inflicted with medical conditions that result from violence such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Breaking free from the cycle of harmful practices is a challenging but achievable feat. Governments, civil society organizations, and individuals need to work collaboratively to educate communities on the harmful effects of such practices and enforce existing laws and policies. Education is a powerful tool that can inspire behavioural change. Girls should be encouraged to stay in school and pursue their dreams. They should also advocate for themselves and others.

Furthermore, laws and policies should be enacted, enforced, and strengthened. Governments should invest in healthcare and social services to support victims of harmful practices. Health professionals should be trained to identify and treat survivors of such practices and educate communities on the importance of health and hygiene.

In conclusion, it’s high time for societies worldwide to break free from the cycle of harmful cultural practices and prioritize health, safety, and equality. Education, law enforcement, and investment in healthcare and social services are key factors in breaking free from the cycle of harmful practices. Let’s work collaboratively to overcome these practices and promote a healthy and safer environment.