BREAKING THE CHAINS OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN NIGERIA: A Policy Report
Emmanuella Nzeribe, Hilary Okagbue, Olugbemisola Samuel
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) refers to all forms of procedures involving the partial or total removal of a part of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Statistics have shown that over 20 million women and girls have undergone FGM/C, and this comprise of 10% of the global population of women[1]. In Nigeria, the South-eastern and south-western zones have the highest prevalence of FGM[2]. Out of the four types of female genital mutilation, excision and clitoridectomy are the most practiced mutilation done in Nigeria[3]. A total of 82% of women aged 15 – 49 and have undergone FGM, had their cutting before the age of five[4]. Statistics have shown that 20% of girls and women aged 15-49 have undergone female genital mutilation and 14% of girls in their adolescent ages of 15-19 years have undergone female genital mutilation. Additionally, it is worth noting that 67% of women believe that female genital mutilation needs to be discontinued[5].
Female genital mutilation is a harmful practice that has both short term and long-term impact on the victims. These practices are done in all parts of the country and a large proportion of all the FGM done are by traditional circumcisers. The medicalization of FGM is when the mutilation is done by a healthcare professional with the intention of reducing the harm caused, however this negates the Hippocratic oath of ‘First do no harm’. Medicalised FGM not only violate the medical ethics by causing harm, but it also poses both long term and short-term health complications. The short-term complications include pain, haemorrhage, shock, urinary retention, infections including HIV transmission. Additionally, some of the long-term complications that victims are exposed to, are scar formation as a result of the cutting, pains while sitting and walking, childbirth risks[6]. Several reasons have alluded to the sustenance of this die-hard violation spanning from tradition, religion and politics. From the economic point of view, this is a source of income for the traditional practitioners and in some societies, the practice increases the marriage prospects of the victims and serves as a form of social stratification where daughters mutilated are considered to be in high class than their counterparts[7].
The costs and complications of practicing FGM outweighs the benefits in any society practicing it. It is important to note that the cost of FGM encompasses both the cost of the service and the cost of medical complications that arise from the practice whether short or long-term[8]. However, the psychosocial, emotional effects and consequences to the family of the victims are unquantifiable. Various studies have demonstrated that some types of FGM end up removing the sexually sensitive structures, scarring the affected area, thereby leading to a reduction in sexual response and sexual dissatisfaction[9]. Some practitioners try to manage the complications through immediate administration of pain killers and other medications, depending on the extent of the complications. There is no doubt that the best management of FGM complication is prevention of its occurrence[10].
The Federal Government of Nigeria recognised FGM as a discriminatory practice in the year 2002, therefore acknowledging the fact that FGM requires policy and legal interventions, and this brought about the first National FGM policy and plan of action in Nigeria between 2-13 to 2017. Subsequently, this National policy (2021-2025) was introduced with the aim eliminating the practice of FGM in Nigeria in order to improve the health and quality of life of girls and women in Nigeria. The violence against prohibited persons act (VAPP) is a comprehensive law that
promotes the safety of women and girls in Nigeria. The VAPP act was introduced by the federal government of Nigeria in the year, 2015 which is to be adopted by all the states in Nigeria[11]. This VAPP Act attracted various stakeholders simply because of it is the only law in Nigeria that criminalises a long-standing discriminatory act with cultural justification. Currently, there are a total of eight states in Nigeria that are yet to adopt the VAPP act. When the states do not adopt the act, it means that the state government does not recognise the law and hence the violation can linger on. International communities have called for all countries including Nigeria to eliminate the practice and ensure zero tolerance of female genital mutilation from the national level down to the grassroots.
While statistics from Demographic health survey (DHS) in Nigeria show a slow decline in the practice of FGM among girls and women between the ages of 15-49 from 24.8% in 2013 to 19.5% in 2018, its prevalence among 0-14 years have increased from 16.9% in 2013 to 19.2% in 2018. Data from DHS across 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021 showed no significant difference in FGM prevalence across these years even with the institution of the VAPP act. Based on these posed risks and negative impact of female genital mutilation. Due to this infringement, thousands of girls are deprived of their health, education, and childhood ambitions[12]. The FGM goes a long way in impacting negatively the self esteem of the women which impact the kind of women and girls we raise in the society. Additionally, increased migration makes it a global issue. It is worth noting that during the 2020 commemoration of the international day of zero tolerance to FGM, the WHO launched the FGM cost Calculator that shows that if FGM were abandoned now the associated savings in health costs would be more than 60% by 2050; therefore, as a country, eliminating FGM/C will go a long way in reducing amount spent on FGM complications[13].
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Call to Action
Based on the information above, this brief calls for the policymakers, Ministry of Health and Federal Government zoom into FGM as a serious health problem that needs an immediate response. The VAPP act, being the only recognised legal tool established to address FGM in the country, this tool must be utilised and implemented. Below are the ways this act can be help bring FGM to zero in Nigeria:
- Law implementation: As a necessity, the government must ensure that the remaining eight states adopt the VAPP act and take a step further to implement the law in all the states. Implementation of the act means ensuring that all perpetrators of FGM should be punished irrespective of their positions in the local communities. By criminalising this act, the VAPP act aims to prevent individuals from practicing and promoting FGM.
- Community Engagement and Advocacy: Engaging with the local communities where FGM prevalence is high by reaching out to the community and traditional leaders, religious leaders. There is also the need to engage relevant stakeholders such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSO); who will support in advocacy and creating awareness to the community.
- Collaborative efforts: With an understanding that FGM cannot be eliminated by just one sect in the community. There is the need for collaborative efforts with the government taking the lead, involving the civil society organisations, the non-governmental organisations, individuals to join efforts towards ending FGM. It is also imperative to collaborate with healthcare professionals to identify and report cases of FGM. Healthcare professionals should be trained on how to recognise signs of FGM and report to the authorities which will go a long way in enforcing and preventing FGM.
- Research and Data collection: The place of research and data cannot be overemphasized. The Government can collaborate with researchers to provide accurate data on the current prevalence of FGM, the trends, observational studies on survivor experiences. These data will influence policy and interventions on FGM.
In conclusion, the road to ending FGM in Nigeria is challenging, however what a better time to eliminate this discriminatory act than now. Indeed, ending FGM in Nigeria will protect millions of girls from physical and emotional harm. Every girl deserves to grow up in an environment free from harm and, with their rights and dignity intact. Therefore, let us work together to break the traditional shackles and create a harmless future for every child.
References
[1] Geoffery Njoku (2019). Take action to eliminate female genital mutilation by 2030. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/press-releases/take-action-eliminate-female-genital-mutilation-2030. [Accessed on 16/06/2024].
[2] Epundu, U. U., Ilika, A. L., Ibeh, C. C., Nwabueze, A. S., Emelumadu, O. F., & Nnebue, C. C. (2018). The epidemiology of female genital mutilation in Nigeria–a twelve year review. Afrimedic Journal, 6(1), 1-10.
[3] Ofor, M. O., & Ofole, N. M. (2015). Female genital mutilation: the place of culture and the debilitating effects on the dignity of the female gender. European Scientific Journal, 11(14), 112-121.
[4] Nigeria: The Law and FGM- 28 too many (2018). The Thomson Reuters Foundation, The Orchid report. Available at https://www.fgmcri.org/media/uploads/Law%20Reports/nigeria_law_report_v3_(august_2022).pdf. [Accessed on 16/06/2024].
[5] Ijeoma Onuoha-ogwe (2022). UNICEF warns FGM on the rise among young Nigerian girls. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/press-releases/unicef-warns-fgm-rise-among-young-nigerian-girls [Accessed on 16/06/2024].
[6] Ajaegbu, O. (2024). The Role of Culture in The Continued Practice of Female Genital Mutilation: A Study of Attah Community, Imo State. Indonesian Journal of Social Research (IJSR), 6(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.30997/ijsr.v6i1.382
[7] UNICEF (2022). Nigeria’s FGN report. Available at https://www.unicef.org/media/146171/file/Nigeria%20FGM%202022Report.f [Accessed on 16/06/2024].
[8] Andy-Muller Nzinga, Stéphanie De Andrade Castanheira, Jessica Hermann, Véronique Feipel, Augustin Joseph Kipula, Jeanne Bertuit, Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation on Women’s Sexual Health – Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 18, Issue 4, April 2021, Pages 750–760, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.01.173
[9] Williams-Breault BD. Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Human Rights-Based Approaches of Legislation, Education, and Community Empowerment. Health Hum Rights. 2018 Dec;20(2):223-233.
[10] Dan Reisel, Sarah. M. Creighton (2015). Long term health consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Maturitas, Volume 80, Issue 1, Pages 48-51, ISSN 0378-5122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.10.009
[11] Violence against persons (Prohibition) act, 2015. Available at https://sabilaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Violence-Against-Persons-Prohibition-Act-2015-VAPP-Act_.pdf [Accessed on the 17/06/2024]
[12] Ifechukwu Okpara, P., & Tekbaş, S. (2024). Effect of Female Genital Mutilation on Sexual Function in Ibadan, Nigeria. International Journal of Sexual Health, 36(2), 167–176 https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2024.2328717
[13] The World Health Organization (2020). The economic cost of female genital mutilation. Available at https://www.who.int/news/item/06-02-2020-economic-cost-of-female-genital-mutilation [Accessed on 17/06/2024]