Acknowledgements = v
Glossary of acronyms and abbreviations = xiii
Chapter I Introduction = 1
1 The purpose of the study = 1
2 Defining the parameters of the study = 2
3 The state of challenges to harmful traditional practices = 9
4 The structure of the study = 13
Chapter II The harmful traditional practices in question and supporting customs and norms = 17
1 Introduction = 17
2 Traditional practices Harmful to women's reproductive health = 18
3 Customs and norms bolstering traditional practices harmful to women = 31
4 Norms influencing fertility = 42
5 The culture of silence and superstition = 44
6 Combined customs contributing to HIV/AIDS infection = 46
7 Conclusions = 48
Chapter III The rights in qustion = 49
1 Introduction = 49
2 Situating harmful traditional practices within the framework = 49
3 Determining human rights violations by the nature of the practice = 57
4 Conclusions = 79
Chapter IV The theoretical value of the human rights approach = 81
1 Introduction = 81
2 Over two millennia of theorizing on human rights and moral wrongs = 84
3 Other factors influencing relativism = 89
4 Resolving the differences = 94
5 Have we over-theorized? = 97
6 Cross-cultural normative hudgementes = 99
7 Closing the circle = 107
Chapter V Assessing the African charter as a tool for social change = 109
1 Introduction = 109
2 Deriving insight from the Travaux Preparatoires = 110
3 Deriving insight from the African commission = 111
4 Deriving insight from the African charter on the rights and welfare of th child = 114
5 Deriving insight from scholarly argumentation and interpretation = 115
6 Deriving insight from the unique history and outlool of the African region = 123
7 Special measures to improve the protection of women's rights = 123
8 The verdict = 129
Chapter VI Practical limitations on the human rights approach = 131
1 Introduction = 131
2 Commonly recommended strategies and their presumed influence = 132
3 Re-evaluation the impact of human rights education = 134
4 Questioning the empowering force of human rights = 137
5 Women's groups and power = 139
6 Formal education and social change = 143
7 Critical assessments of the value of alw and rights in Africa = 149
8 Conclusions = 155
Chapter VII Drawing lesson from successful and failed challenges to traditional practices = 157
1 Introduction = 157
2 Chinese footbinding = 158
3 The practice = 161
4 Some african state initiatives to end female circumcision = 165
5 Lessons drawn = 168
6 Some key differences and their possible implications = 173
Chapter VIII Key agents of change and the role of the African state = 175
1 Introduction = 175
2 Determining the most appropriate role for the state = 175
3 Indigenous mechanisms = 180
4 The media and other mechanisms of communication = 189
5 The roles of other actors = 190
6 Conclusions = 196
Chapter Ix Summary and conclusions = 199
1 Summary = 199
2 Conclusions = 205
Glossary of acronyms and abbreviations = xiii
Chapter I Introduction = 1
1 The purpose of the study = 1
2 Defining the parameters of the study = 2
3 The state of challenges to harmful traditional practices = 9
4 The structure of the study = 13
Chapter II The harmful traditional practices in question and supporting customs and norms = 17
1 Introduction = 17
2 Traditional practices Harmful to women's reproductive health = 18
3 Customs and norms bolstering traditional practices harmful to women = 31
4 Norms influencing fertility = 42
5 The culture of silence and superstition = 44
6 Combined customs contributing to HIV/AIDS infection = 46
7 Conclusions = 48
Chapter III The rights in qustion = 49
1 Introduction = 49
2 Situating harmful traditional practices within the framework = 49
3 Determining human rights violations by the nature of the practice = 57
4 Conclusions = 79
Chapter IV The theoretical value of the human rights approach = 81
1 Introduction = 81
2 Over two millennia of theorizing on human rights and moral wrongs = 84
3 Other factors influencing relativism = 89
4 Resolving the differences = 94
5 Have we over-theorized? = 97
6 Cross-cultural normative hudgementes = 99
7 Closing the circle = 107
Chapter V Assessing the African charter as a tool for social change = 109
1 Introduction = 109
2 Deriving insight from the Travaux Preparatoires = 110
3 Deriving insight from the African commission = 111
4 Deriving insight from the African charter on the rights and welfare of th child = 114
5 Deriving insight from scholarly argumentation and interpretation = 115
6 Deriving insight from the unique history and outlool of the African region = 123
7 Special measures to improve the protection of women's rights = 123
8 The verdict = 129
Chapter VI Practical limitations on the human rights approach = 131
1 Introduction = 131
2 Commonly recommended strategies and their presumed influence = 132
3 Re-evaluation the impact of human rights education = 134
4 Questioning the empowering force of human rights = 137
5 Women's groups and power = 139
6 Formal education and social change = 143
7 Critical assessments of the value of alw and rights in Africa = 149
8 Conclusions = 155
Chapter VII Drawing lesson from successful and failed challenges to traditional practices = 157
1 Introduction = 157
2 Chinese footbinding = 158
3 The practice = 161
4 Some african state initiatives to end female circumcision = 165
5 Lessons drawn = 168
6 Some key differences and their possible implications = 173
Chapter VIII Key agents of change and the role of the African state = 175
1 Introduction = 175
2 Determining the most appropriate role for the state = 175
3 Indigenous mechanisms = 180
4 The media and other mechanisms of communication = 189
5 The roles of other actors = 190
6 Conclusions = 196
Chapter Ix Summary and conclusions = 199
1 Summary = 199
2 Conclusions = 205