Child marriage and female genital mutilation could end if more culturally sensitive approaches were adopted by the developed world, an international report said today.
A United Nations study found cultural traditions and beliefs are often stronger than laws, with changes in practices needed from within.
The State of the World Population Reportalso said gender-based violence is socially accepted and, in some cases, reinforced and perpetuated by women themselves.
Sean Hand, of the United Nations Family Planning Association (UNFPA), said in many countries child marriage and mutilation are illegal but still persist.
“They persist because they are deeply rooted within the culture,” he said.
The report, entitled Common Ground: Culture, Gender and Human Rights, was launched in Dublin and 15 other cities throughout the world.
It found culturally sensitive approaches can remove impediments to services for sexual and reproductive health and help to end violence and discrimination.
Mr Hand said: “One of the main messages of this report is that change cannot be imposed from the outside; to be lasting, change must come from within. As development workers, we have to partner with forces of positive cultural change to protect human rights and human well-being.
“Our experience shows that we can work closely with these positive forces for cultural change to protect human rights.”
PA