By Dr. Lilian Ochayi
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as female genital cutting (FGM/C), remains a grave global concern, constituting a severe violation of human rights and posing significant threats to the health and well-being of millions of women and girls. This deeply rooted traditional practice involves the partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons, with devastating consequences across physical, psychological, and societal dimensions.
The Global and Nigerian Context
Over 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM/C, with an estimated four million more at risk each year—many before the age of 15. While the practice is most prevalent in 30 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, it also persists in diaspora communities globally, reinforcing the urgency for coordinated international action.
Nigeria ranks third worldwide in terms of FGM prevalence, despite legal and advocacy efforts to curb it. The practice varies significantly across states, influenced by cultural, religious, and social factors. While there has been a decline in recent years, sustained and intensified efforts are required to eradicate FGM/C completely.
Types and Consequences of FGM
FGM is classified into four major types, each with severe implications:
- Type I (Clitoridectomy): Partial or total removal of the clitoris.
- Type II (Excision): Removal of the clitoris and labia minora, sometimes extending to the labia majora.
- Type III (Infibulation): Narrowing of the vaginal opening through the cutting and sewing of the labia, often accompanied by clitoral removal.
- Type IV: Other harmful procedures, including pricking, piercing, scraping, or cauterization.
Regardless of type, FGM has no medical benefits. Instead, it results in severe health risks such as excessive bleeding, infections, urinary problems, and chronic pain. Long-term complications include painful intercourse, infertility, childbirth complications, and increased maternal and neonatal mortality rates. Psychological effects—ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety to depression and a profound sense of violation—further underscore the trauma inflicted on survivors.
Strategies for Eradication
Eliminating FGM requires a multi-pronged approach involving key stakeholders across various sectors:
- Healthcare Providers: Medical professionals must be equipped to provide comprehensive care for survivors, including physical and psychological support. They play a crucial role in educating communities about the dangers of FGM and advocating for its eradication.
- Community and Religious Leaders: Given their influence, traditional and religious leaders can help dismantle social norms that sustain FGM. Encouraging them to speak out against the practice fosters greater community engagement in the fight against it.
- Government and Policy Implementation: Nigeria has criminalized FGM through the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) of 2015. However, enforcement remains a challenge. Authorities must strengthen legal frameworks, prosecute offenders, allocate resources for prevention, and integrate FGM awareness into education and public health initiatives.
- Civil Society and Advocacy Groups: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and advocacy groups are at the forefront of sensitization campaigns, survivor support programs, and grassroots interventions. Their efforts in community education, economic empowerment for women, and policy advocacy remain vital.
- Survivor-Led Initiatives: Women who have experienced FGM can be powerful agents of change. By sharing their stories and engaging in advocacy, they help break the silence, challenge stigma, and inspire communities to abandon the practice.
The Path Forward
Eradicating FGM in Nigeria by 2030 aligns with global targets set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5.3, which aims to eliminate harmful practices against women and girls. Achieving this requires unwavering commitment from all stakeholders—government bodies, healthcare professionals, traditional leaders, civil society, families, and individuals.
FGM is not just a cultural issue; it is a human rights violation and a public health emergency. Ending it demands collective action, sustained awareness, and legal enforcement. By standing together, we can protect the health, dignity, and future of millions of girls and women, ensuring that FGM becomes a relic of the past.
- Dr. Ochayi is the Public Relations Officer of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), Lagos Branch. Email: ochayle@gmail.com
