Culture Or Abuse?

We don’t know which way to look when it comes to cultural diversity. There are certain practises we are told to accept, even if they don’t fit in with our Western social ‘norms’.  But the truth is there is no universality of morality. What we find normal in Western society might not be the same as in other cultures. Take for example the Muslim head scarf, the Hajib. Islamic dress code is often cited as a significant example of cultural moral diversity. In Iran allowing women to wear the hijab is a “legitimate state policy in the interest of public morality.”[1] However, in Western, and often secular, societies, such as recently in France, wearing the veil is said to be “a violation of freedom of conscience and thought.”[2] Who is right? Or is there even a right or wrong answer?What about more extreme cultural practises? Such as forced marriage. Some customs and traditions are expected to be respected, whereas others are frowned upon. Should it be up to individual preference which should be followed? Such as if the woman is willing to accept an arranged marriage then should she be allowed to? Despite the fact that it breaches Article 16 (1) of the Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which reads: “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations and in particular shall ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women.” Religious and cultural practises do happen, regardless of their standing in international law and human rights, does this mean that we are free to pick and choose what rights are applicable to us and to our cultural traditions? Is it not one rule for everyone?*See my post on the universality of human rights.

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[1] Reza Afshari, Human Rights in Iran: The Abuse of Cultural Relativism (University of Pennsylvania Press 2001) 264[2] Ibid