SECTION A Examine female genital mutilation as a harmful cultural practice in the novel. (Redemption Road)

In Redemption Road, female genital mutilation (FGM) is depicted as a deeply harmful cultural practice that inflicts severe physical and psychological trauma on women and girls. The novel portrays FGM as a tradition enforced by community elders, particularly women, who believe it is essential for a girl's purity, marriageability, and social acceptance.

The harm is shown through:

• Physical consequences: Characters suffer from chronic pain, infections, complications during childbirth, and even death due to the unsanitary and brutal nature of the procedure.
• Psychological impact: Victims experience lasting emotional distress, fear, and a sense of betrayal, often leading to a loss of agency and self-worth.
• Violation of rights: The practice is presented as a violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to bodily integrity and health, forced upon individuals without consent.

The novel critiques FGM by highlighting the suffering it causes and the courage of those who resist or seek to end the practice, challenging the notion that tradition justifies such brutality.