…It is a shame that fear of being perceived as cultural imperialists makes the civilised the world reluctant to stop such violation of human rights from continuing in abandon at foreign soil and in secrecy on home soil.

And you are spot on with your observation that the West’s often misplaced paternalism towards other cultures in the past, and the resulting sclerosis, the scepticism it has caused in African nations with regards to our intentions and goodwill, is preventing it now from having meaningful influence on disturbing cultural practices.

Although, that itself should not stop us from at least trying, from creating some kind of public awareness campaign in those countries, driving home the message that FGM is a tragic breach of human rights.