Culture becomes a convenient excuse for many advocates of harmful practises against women because it is an extremely sensitive topic. In this precarious situation, the debate over cultural relativism and right to self-determination overshadows the most important issue - women’s suffering and abuse - that is simply unacceptable. Culture is created and lived by people and therefore can be transformed by them and adapted to life. It should not be used as a weapon to hurt and torment women. To stop these cultural practises, what needs to be challenged is the duality of gender that was socially constructed over decades and that became a deeply rooted part of cultures mirrored through many harmful customs.
-Beata Zpevakova as part of the Culture and Human Rights series (Part II).
