Regulating Genital Modifications in Malta and the UK: Understanding the Interplay between Law and Culture within Culturally Diverse Societies (working title)

Dalli's current doctoral research project looks at legal and medical approaches towards different forms of genital modifications – focusing on controversial types of modifications – performed on or undergone by men and women, in Malta and the UK. It builds upon findings from her former legal study on the regulation of ‘cultural’ female genital modifications in Malta. It does this by documenting the types of modifications that are legally and/or medically accepted, and the ones which are prohibited by law in the selected jurisdictions. It further explores the conceptual standpoints for these regulatory approaches. The project aims to shed light on the interrelationship between law and culture as reflected within the regulation of genital modifications and to highlight the legal and social implications of contemporary laws and policies on selected types of genital modifications vis-à-vis different groups within culturally-diverse societies.