The impact of traditional sex practices on the construction of female sexuality: an African human rights perspective

‘The time has come to recognize that denials of individuals’ rights on the ground only that they are women are human rights violations, and to require state practices that expose women to degradation, indignity, and oppression on account of their sex to be independently defined, condemned, compensated, and, preferably, prevented. The purpose of changing ubiquitous state practice may appear ambitious, but it is not too ambitious for the needs of our time.’1 ‘[This Protocol] reaffirms the principle of promoting gender equality as enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union as well as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, relevant Declarations, Resolutions and Decisions, which underline the commitment of the African States to ensure the full participation of African women as equal partners in Africa’s development.’2 ‘The substantive realisation of equality is a precondition for transformative change in South Africa. Yet, inequality is still the biggest challenge facing development and transformation in post-apartheid South Africa.’3