As you say, there is still a need for feminism: some people don't see any further than their own boundaries and so assume that because the situation has improved in (most parts of) the west, that "God's in his heaven, all's right with the world".

But there are people who do realise that not everywhere is the same and will even defend women who perpetuate female genital mutilation on the grounds that it is their culture. For example Professor Boddy in Toronto argues that there are good cultural reasons for the practice to continue. The same article says that she equates "to a degree" feminists who are opposed to the practice with British imperialism.

I wonder how she feels about the practice of foot binding? Should that have been allowed to continue as being a cultural norm?

In my mind it has to be worse by a magnitude of ten to deny deliberately, rather than out of a lack of awareness, anyone in another culture the freedom we seek for ourselves. Yes we have to be sensitive to culture but we can lend a hand to those in their own countries and cultures who know the situation first hand and do want change.

[It actually *is* critical to pay attention to cultural diversity -- I know people in other cultures balk at our anorexia and culture-of-surgery, and I know for some people that's as alien as FGM. But sensitivity *is not the same* as tolerance. Sometimes diversity means learning new ways to stop damaging ourselves for status or beauty. It's only imperialist if we say "oh *you* have to stop FGM but *we're* keeping bulemia because thin is in." Thanks, A. --fl]

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