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It’s a staggering statistic by any measure. And it’s all the more striking given the negative impact the practice has on the victims’ quality of life. They often suffer infections, loss of sexual pleasure, and infertility. Women who have been cut are also far more likely to die from complications arising during childbirth. But why does such a harmful custom persist in Nigeria?
A Tradition That Refuses To Die
Female Genital Mutilation continues to exist because it’s tied to the culture and traditions of many societies in the country. It’s particularly prevalent in the South-Western and South-Eastern regions. In certain states, almost 90% of women have undergone FGM. The vast majority of cases are linked to familial, communal, or religious beliefs. The practice is often carried out by older women, especially grandmothers, and victims are usually under the age of five. This situation is worsened by peer pressure. Girls and women who haven’t been cut may be treated as oddities and left out of social circles. Some have requested that they be cut because they want to escape the shame. The prevalence of FGM in Nigeria has halved over the past three decades. But it remains a custom among many people groups and has proven difficult to eradicate.The Fight Against FGM: The Journey So Far
Government and civil society organizations have taken action against FGM in many ways. In 2015, the Federal Government banned FGM across the country. This was achieved through the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, a law that criminalizes FGM. While the law was regarded as a step in the right direction, it had some perceived shortcomings, including its failure to define FGM in clear terms, and its silence on cross-border FGM.Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Some individual states have also passed laws that prohibit Female Genital Mutilation. They include Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, and Rivers States. However, these laws have not been universally implemented. Many NGOs are working with local communities to stamp out FGM. Their efforts typically involve educating people about the dangers posed by the practice. Thanks to their operations, a large number of families have been dissuaded from carrying on with the tradition of cutting females.
There’s A Lot More To Be Done
Nigeria needs to take a multi-faceted approach to solve the problem of FGM. The government can play its role by strengthening existing laws and improving the implementation of these laws. Law enforcement agencies (especially the police) should be made aware of their duty to protect women and girls from all forms of violence. This won’t happen without a major overhaul of Nigeria’s current security setup. Authorities can also drive sensitization campaigns about the negative impact of FGM on girls and women, and the penalties for engaging in it. If there’s enough of this on radio, TV, and other media, more people will take notice. Engagement with communities will be more effective if it’s done in the local language, as many people in these areas have a limited grasp of English. Governments and NGOs may also want to influence the residents of these communities through the figures they respect. With more local leaders enlisted in the fight against FGM, citizens may be more willing to give up the custom. The tide is already turning, but things need to move faster. Too many people will suffer if current efforts against Female Genital Mutilation aren’t accelerated. By emphasizing girl child education, we can put more girls and women in charge of their lives, and enable them to build a future in which FGM no longer exists. Featured Image Source: HealthlineGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com