Female genital mutilation in Nigeria

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as Female circumcision or Female Genital Cutting (FGC) in Nigeria accounts for the most female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C) cases worldwide.[1] The practice is customarily a family tradition that the young female of the age 0-15 would experience.[2] It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the vulva or other injury to the female genital organs whenever for non-medical reasons.[2]

The practice is harmful to girls and women and a

sexual pleasure.[4]

Nationally, 27% of Nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 were victims of FGM, as of 2012.[5] In the last 30 years, prevalence of the practice has decreased by half in some parts of Nigeria.[3] Female genital mutilation is on the rise among Nigerian girls aged 0–14 and Nigeria accounts for the third highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide [6] UNICEF.

In May 2015, then

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan signed a federal law banning FGM.[7] Opponents of the practice cite this move as an important step forward in Africa, as Nigeria is the most populous country and has set an important precedent.[4] Though the practice has declined, activists and scholars say a cultural shift is necessary to abolish the practice, as the new law will not singularly change the wider violence against women in Nigeria.[7]

Cultural perception

The practice is mostly carried out by traditional circumcisers, without proper knowledge of

Despite the graveness of the issue, the practicing societies look on it as an integral part of their tradition and cultural identity.[2] In the communities that follow excision of female genitalia, FGM/C is associated with ethnicity, culture, prevailing social norms, and sometimes as religious obligations.[2] In majority of the cases it has been documented that their own family members such as parents mainly mothers, grandparents, and grandmothers of the girls are the perpetrators of this act.[2] Ensuring daughter's virginity is a required task for them to arrange for her marriage, receive proper bride price, and for family honor.[2] There is also a misconception belief that is still present in Nigeria that women believe that female circumcision increases sexual pleasure among men.[2] Another belief is that FGM/C increases women's fertility, ability to procreate, and child's survival.[2] Due to immense social pressure and fear of exclusion from the community, families conform to the tradition.[2] In Nigeria and other societies, girls who have not gone through FGM/C are considered as unmarriageable, unclean and it is a social taboo.[2] Girls who remain uncut may be teased or looked down upon in the society.[2] Most times, the girls themselves desire to conform to peer as well as societal pressure out of the fear of stigmatization and rejection by their own community.[2] They accept the practice as a necessary and normal part of life.[2] In many communities this particular practice is upheld as a religious requirement. FGM/C is performed by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. However, it is carried out in some Muslim communities with the belief that it is demanded by Islamic faith.[2]

In reality, though, there is no documentation of this practice in the holy texts of these religions. Moreover, the historical origin of the practice asserts that it predates the advent of all major religions of the world including Islam.[2] Often older women become the moral gatekeepers in favor of this ritual to justify their own experience of genital cutting and they tend to see any effort to eliminate the practice as a threat to their culture.[8]

Achieving

Nigerian law.[9]

Data shows that the majority of people believe female genital cutting should end, but they cite

social pressures to continue the practice with their daughters.[10] Men especially do not favor female genital mutilation and will not like it to continue.[11] People's opinion on whether female genital mutilation should continue or end depends a lot on the socio-economic status of the person. While the poor and uneducated men will want female genital mutilation to continue, the economically well-to-do and educated people will like it to end.[11] Among women aged 15 to 49 polled between 2004–2015, 64% want to end the practice.[12]

Influence on other African nations

Human rights activists believe the 2015 federal ban in Nigeria will influence other African countries—a region in which the practice is highly prevalent—because of Nigeria's economic and political strength within the continent.[4]

Types practiced

Female Genital Mutilation is a practice that is rooted with African culture, it is the partial or complete removal of the female clitoris for cultural or religious reasons.[13] Culturally, it is done to enhance the marriageability of a woman because she will be preserved for marriage. In cases of Female Genital Mutilation women will not be able to have sexual intercourse, this ensures that premarital sex does not take place. It is also done sometimes to enhance the social status of families that have their female children undergo the process because it means they have virgin children.[13] In religious cases, there is no evidence of female genital mutilation and cutting being allowed. It does not have a religious background.

Nigerians practice the following forms of female genital cutting/mutilation:[1]

  • Type I, clitoridectomy: Removing the clitoral hood and at least part of the clitoris. This is also called ritualistic circumcision. intros case, the clitoris is nicked to cause bleeding. This is the least harmful type of mutilation and does not cause any long term damage.
  • Type II, sunna: Removing the full clitoris and part of the labia minora. This full removal of the full clitoris and the outer layer covering the clitoris. The clitoris is generally not damaged.
  • Type III, infibulation: Removing the clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora. This also involves stitching the vaginal opening with a minuscule hole for urination and menstrual bleeding.
  • Type IV: Other unclassified forms of FGM may involve pricking, stretching, cauterization, or inserting herbs into the vagina.[1] In this case, the external female genitalia is removed with most of the labia major being cut or scraped away.[14] The rest of the labia majora and vaginal opening is sewn together.

Clitoridectomies are more common in the south of the country, and the more extreme methods, like infibulation, are prevalent in the north.[1] Often times tools like kitchen knives and broken glass are used to perform the cut.They are not usually sterilized before usage. It is a forceful act and is performed with the victim being held down by many women in the society.[14]

Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation

According to the World Health Organization, Female Genital Mutilation has no real health benefits. It has short and long term health risks that affect girls and women that have to undergo the procedure. It negatively affects the natural functioning of the female reproductive system and violates their human rights also.

Risks, Short-term

When Female Genital Mutilation takes place, the first risk is shock. It is not an appropriate procedure for the female body so the excessive pain can cause a female to go into shock. Excessive bleeding will also happen which could cause hemorrhage because a clitoral artery or blood vessel has been improperly cut.[15] Complications with urination could also happen because in some excessive cases the labia majora is sewn together. This blocks the opening of the bladder and makes urination very difficult and sometimes just impossible. Urination issues could also be due to tissue swelling and pain in the urethra.[15] Many infections are bound to happen because of the way the process takes place. Female Genital Mutilation is mostly done under unsanitary conditions, using non-sterile sharp objects to perform the cutting. Because of these conditions, the girls and women are subject to infections like wound infections and long term diseases like Human Immunodeficiency Virus which is caused by using contaminated objects.[15]

Mentally, Female Genital Mutilation could be damning to a person. It is bound to cause psychological distress to a person that has to undergo it. In children, loss of confidence and trust could take place.[16] Children will no longer trust the people that are supposed to care for and protect them because of the pain that has been caused. It is known that Female Genital Cutting is often done by female elders in the society. These are the people that usually also care for the children so these children could associate their caregivers with pain. The pain and trauma that goes along the cutting and mutilation could cause severe depression.[17]

Risks, Long-term

Long term, Female Genital Mutilation and cutting has major effects on the sexual and reproductive health of a woman. Out of all the types of mutilations, the type with most negative long-term effects is Type III infibulation.[16] Child birth is immediately affected when female genital cutting happens. In infibulation, the clitoris and labia major and minora are removed and the vaginal opening is sewn together. Because of this closing, there is almost no chance of child brith even though premarital sex is ultimately preserved. Reproduction can no longer take place. There are also different lasting injuries that could happen like chronic genital and reproductive tract infections, cysts and scar injuries could form. Because of the sewing of the vaginal opening together, there could be an accumulation of menstrual flow at the vagina and urethra. This causes major diseases and infections.[18]

Activism

Organizations seeking to end FGC/M in Nigeria include the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, African Union, Devatop Centre for Africa Development, the Economic Commission for Africa, the Coalition of Advocates against Violence and the Population Council.[1][3] as well as Justice, Development and Peace Movement (JDPM) of the Catholic diocese of Oyo.

The Circumcision Descendants Association of Nigeria (CDAN)—a group whose members perform FGM in Nigeria, has advocated to end the practice by creating new government programs and economic opportunities for those who perform female genital mutilation.[19]

In May 2015 former Nigerian president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, signed off on a law that permanently bans Female Genital Mutilation and cutting. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) aims to permanently prohibit female circumcision by including a penalty. People caught committing the crime are liable to two years in prison and a fine of one hundred thousand Naira.[20] Even with the new law, as of 2015 female circumcision was still practiced in six states. The VAPP act was a nationwide response that the former president had to the constant practice of Female Genital Mutilation. In 2018, an event organized by UN Women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Nigerian Mission to the UN, with other partners to help promote change of perceptions for the women in Africa.[21] Highlighting themes such as human trafficking, suicide bombing, female genital mutilation/cutting and sexism and sexual harassment at the United Nations,[21] Ms. Itua, one of the presenters of the UN showcase the importance of women taking an active role in their nations said "As an African woman, I believe that my goal is to work with other women in creating awareness. Together we are stronger. Working together to be stronger to change the narrative coming out of Africa."[21]

In many rural areas of Nigeria, Female Genital Mutilation is still practiced. In these parts of Nigeria education is not easily accessed. It is important that Nigerian citizens are properly educated on the dangers and negative effects of female circumcision. According to studies, health education positively affects the attitude people have towards FGM.[22] With education, people are informed of the VAPP act and how the nation can fright against communities that still do not understand the negativities that come with female circumcision.

Other Nigerian organizations that constantly fight and protect girls and women from Female Genital Mutilation are:

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Siddhanta, Ankita. "ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS FEMALE CIRCUMCISION: A STUDY OF VULNERABILITY AMONG WOMEN IN KENYA AND NIGERIA". www.researchgate.net. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
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  4. ^ a b c Topping, Alexandra (2015-05-29). "Nigeria's female genital mutilation ban is important precedent, say campaigners". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-05-28.
  5. ^ "Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in the United States: Updated Estimates of Women and Girls at Risk, 2012" (PDF). Public Health Reports. Mar 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  6. ^ "UNICEF warns FGM on the rise among young Nigerian girls".
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  15. ^ a b c "Health risks of female genital mutilation (FGM)". www.who.int. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  16. ^ a b "Female genital mutilation (FGM) frequently asked questions". United Nations Population Fund. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
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  19. ^ "How CDAN proposes to end Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria - Ventures Africa". Ventures Africa. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  20. ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Nigeria: Application and enforcement of the May 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) (May 2015-January 2016)". Refworld. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  21. ^ a b c "Nigerian women artists unite at UN to change perceptions of women and Africa". UN News. 2018-03-09. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
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