The preeminence of autonomy as the guiding principle of contemporary bioethis is an inadequate basis for global bioethics particularly as it pertains to women and girls in non-Western cultures. Deeply entrenched cultural, religious, and economic factors contribute to discrimination against females, through such practices as sex-selective abortion and reproductive trafficking. Indeed, in some cases a women's exercise of autonomy may serve as a thin disguise for her exploitation. Meanwhile, resources often are diverted from attending to women's health throughout her lifespan. In reality, women and girls in both Western and non-Western cultures are vulnerable to objectification, whether imposed by external forces or acquiesced to in the guise of "informed consent" or "choice." Approaches that privilege radical autonomy ignore the relational and spiritual dimensions of human persons, and therefore are inadequate to resolve this dilemma. Such approaches are further at odds with non-Western perspectives that emphasize the familial and communitarian dimensions of being human, perspectives represented by the more holistic bioethical principles of beneficence and justice. A global bioethics is more properly grounded on respect for the dignity of all human beings.