Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

 When we think about where laws come from, one major source is customs and usage. These are practices repeated over time that eventually become the norm. Some customs shape society in positive ways, but others have caused harm—especially to women. Across cultures and history, many of these traditions have been used to control, oppress, or hurt women, often disguised as cultural practices or ideals of beauty.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these customs and why it’s so important to challenge them.

Remember those history lessons where we learned about corsets? Women used to wear these tight, body-squeezing garments to make their waists look smaller because that was the standard of beauty back then. Even before corsets, women in the 1300s were using bandages for the same reason.

But looking “beautiful” came with a cost. Corsets squished internal organs, causing breathing problems, poor digestion, and long-term health issues. Thankfully, this harmful trend started fading out in the 1920s. Yet, it’s a reminder of how beauty standards can hurt women in ways we shouldn’t ignore.

In India, there was a practice called the Devadasi system. Young girls were dedicated to temples, where they learned dancing and singing to “serve the gods.” On the surface, it seemed like they held a respected position in society. But behind closed doors, many of these girls were exploited—forced into sexual relationships with temple authorities and, later, prostitution.

While the system was officially banned in 1988, it hasn’t disappeared completely. Even today, it lingers in parts of the country.

 In some parts of the world, female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a harsh reality. This practice involves surgically removing parts of female genitalia to suppress sexual desire, often justified as a means to preserve a woman’s chastity or cultural identity.

FGM causes excruciating pain, long-term health complications, and significantly increases the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission. Despite global condemnation and legal prohibitions, it continues, highlighting the grip of oppressive customs over human rights.

Even natural things like menstruation haven’t been spared. In some communities, menstruating women are treated as “impure.” They’re made to stay away from others, can’t touch certain household items, and are sometimes even confined to separate spaces. These customs strip women of their dignity and reinforce harmful stigmas.

What do all these customs have in common? They’re rooted in controlling women. Whether it’s the painful pursuit of beauty, stigmatizing natural processes, or exploiting women under the cover of tradition, these practices have no place in a fair and equal society.

Change begins when women and allies question these customs. It requires a collective effort—women standing united, raising awareness, and advocating for legal and social reforms. While progress has been made, much work remains to dismantle these harmful traditions and build a world where customs align with human rights and dignity. 

We need to toward a future where customs celebrate equality, dignity, and freedom—not oppression. It’s about time, don’t you think?