Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is more than just a harmful cultural practice. It’s a violation of human rights that leaves lifelong physical and emotional scars. Despite global efforts to end it, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest number of women and girls affected.
According to UNICEF, over 25 million girls and women in Nigeria have undergone Female Genital Mutilation, making it one of the most significant human rights issues in the country. While the practice is often carried out in the name of tradition, the harsh reality is that it affects every aspect of a woman’s life: her health, her education, and her future.
So, what is FGM, and why should you care? Let’s break it down.
What is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?
FGM refers to the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It’s often performed on girls between infancy and 15 years old. In Nigeria, it is deeply ingrained in some communities, especially in the southern and northern regions, where it is believed to preserve chastity, increase marriageability, and align with cultural or religious beliefs.
But here’s the truth: FGM has no health benefits. Instead, it causes severe physical, psychological, and social harm.
The Effect of FGM: A Lifetime of Pain
The effects of Female Genital Mutilation don’t stop after the procedure. They follow women throughout their lives, affecting their physical and mental well-being. Some of the most common health risks include:
Chronic Pain and Infections: Women who undergo FGM frequently experience recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), painful sex, chronic pelvic pain, and even sepsis. According to the World Health Organization, these complications are common because the procedure is often performed without anesthesia in unsanitary conditions
Childbirth Complications: Women who have undergone it are at a higher risk of prolonged labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and stillbirth. Research shows that women who have experienced FGM are more likely to require cesarean sections due to the scarring caused by the procedure (the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2022).
Mental Health Struggles: The trauma of this harmful practice leaves many survivors with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The Girl Generation, an African-led movement to end FGM, reports that survivors often face emotional distress and difficulty in forming intimate relationships.
How FGM Robs Girls of Education and Their Future
Female Genital Mutilation doesn’t just harm a girl’s body, it also affects her dreams and ambitions. In many communities, FGM is seen as a rite of passage into womanhood and is often followed by early marriage, cutting short a girl’s education.
According to Equality Now, a global human rights organization, girls who undergo FGM are more likely to drop out of school early, limiting their future career prospects and trapping them in cycles of poverty (Equality Now, 2023).
One Nigerian organization making a difference is HACEY Health Initiative, which provides education and support to young girls at risk of FGM. Their “StopCut Project” works with communities to challenge harmful cultural beliefs and empower girls to pursue their education.
The Fight to End FGM in Nigeria
The good news is that people are fighting back. Thanks to the tireless work of activists and organizations, more communities are abandoning this practice.
Here are some of the key players leading the charge:
The Girl Generation: An African-led movement providing resources and amplifying the voices of survivors to end FGM within a generation.
HACEY Health Initiative: Through the “StopCut Project,” HACEY works directly with communities to raise awareness and advocate for girls’ rights.
UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM: This global initiative works with local governments and grassroots organizations to enforce anti-FGM laws and provide survivor support (UNFPA).
Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (WARDC): A leading voice for gender justice in Nigeria, advocating for stronger enforcement of FGM bans through the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre.
The Power of Social Media: Breaking the Silence
Social media is proving to be a powerful tool in the fight against FGM. Campaigns like #EndFGM and #StopFGM have amplified survivor stories, put pressure on policymakers, and fostered global solidarity.
For example, the UN’s Spotlight Initiative leverages social media to engage young Nigerians, educate them on the dangers of FGM and empower them to speak out.
Survivors like Khadija Gbla, a prominent anti-FGM activist, use platforms like Twitter and Instagram to share their experiences and advocate for policy change. Her courageous storytelling is breaking taboos and inspiring a new generation to stand against FGM.
Together, We Can End FGM
Ending Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria requires all of us – governments, communities, and individuals – to work together. Here’s how you can be part of the solution:
- Raise Awareness: Share survivor stories and resources using hashtags like #EndFGM and #StopFGM on your social platforms.
- Support Local Organizations: Donate to groups like HACEY Health Initiative, The Girl Generation, and WARDC, which are working tirelessly on the ground.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Urge the Nigerian leaders and government to strengthen and enforce laws against FGM, ensuring real consequences for perpetrators.
FGM isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s a human rights crisis that affects us all. By breaking the silence and taking action, we can ensure a future where every girl in Nigeria and beyond is free to live without fear, pain, or limitation.
The hidden scars of Female Genital Mutilation run deep, but hope runs deeper. Let’s work together to accelerate action against FGM so we can create a world where every girl can dream, thrive, and live without fear.