Final answer:
Feminists view female circumcision or female genital mutilation as a violation of human rights and gender inequality. They advocate for a global standard of justice to address such harmful practices while understanding differing cultural contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Feminists generally believe that female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), is a violation of human rights. This practice is condemned by various international organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations as a form of violence against children and women, and a manifestation of gender inequality. Feminist scholars and activists like Martha Nussbaum argue against moral relativism when it comes to practices that harm women, advocating for a universal standard of justice that addresses gender inequity while being sensitive to cultural differences.
Some anthropologists, like Bettina Shell-Duncan, have taken a more cultural relativist approach in an attempt to understand the social context of FGM in certain societies. Nevertheless, she remains critical of the practice and works towards reducing it. Cultural relativism can involve understanding a practice without necessarily endorsing it, and it can be used as a tool for developing more effective strategies for change that are respectful of cultural complexities.