When Norms Collide
Local Responses to Activism against Female Genital Mutilation and Early Marriage
Karisa Cloward
Reviews and Awards
"A lot of people get the basic facts wrong about the practice of female genital cutting. I'm happy to say that Karisa Cloward doesn't. This book is unmistakably an original contribution. It combines serious and ingenious field research with well-informed theoretical argumentation. Its findings are fascinating." --Gerry Mackie, Center on Global Justice, University of California, San Diego
"A large body of literature has looked at how international norms influence states and firms. Karisa Cloward's book is a carefully designed and systematic study of how international norms regarding women's rights can influence local norms within society. Taking three Maa-speaking communities in Kenya as case studies, she examines micro-level processes to show how individuals respond to competing international and local norms. The book has far reaching implications for activists, scholars, donors, NGOs, international development agencies, and others interested in how changes in women's rights norms occur." --Aili Mari Tripp, Professor of Political Science and Gender & Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
"The application of Cloward's findings not only has the potential to reduce violence against women but it could also assist policymakers in a variety of other areas. When Norms Collide provides a blueprint for achieving meaningful change, and all who are interested in advancing human rights should take note." --Ethics & International Affairs
"When Norms Collide is a thoroughly researched, well-constructed, and novel contribution to the literature on transnational activism. It is also a strong addition to the nascent study using rational choice theory to explain seemingly illogical choices by groups in terms of the social utility granted to members through their compliance. " - Hilary Matfess, Institute for Defense Analyses