Female Genital Mutilation: The Battle is won in Unity

Ebonyi, Ekiti and Imo have the highest prevalence of FGM cases in Nigeria;

A such, the girl child remains exposed to numerous health challenges and right violations;

Since the enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act in 2015, which stipulates a 4-year jail term to offenders and/or a fine of ₦200,000, only 14 states have domesticated it; 

With 2030 as the set year, Nigeria seems far from attaining SDG 5.

“He wants me to initiate sex at times but I can’t because I don’t feel the desire for sex”, Mrs Patience, mother of one lamented. 

In an interview with Dataphyte, she continued explaining how she still lives with the scar from female genital mutilation (FGM). And even though it’s been decades for her, she still recalls the difficulties it created in her relationship with her partner. 

They say “past is prologue” in understanding an issue; however, the current prevalence of FGM shows its not just bad memory but a present reality. And cases like Mrs Patience happen more often than you’d expect, especially in the South-South region that sees a 51-60% prevalence.

Thus, as the world observes the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we look at the road ahead for Africa’s Giant in closing this gap. Moreover, with only nine years left to achieve this mission, can Nigerians finally drop the archaic and misinformed practice that is FGM?

The Ugly Truth: Culture did it

Speaking to the misinformation that trails female circumcision, Patience explained how her mother believe the act would reduce promiscuity in girls as “they will live a wild life if not circumcised.” She, however, wondered how different her life would have turned out if she was not circumcised… “I will never recommend it for any of my children” she mustered with a heavy sigh.

“The urge for sex was not always there. Except the man asked for it. Even when the man did, it takes time for the woman to be in the mood. During a chat with my friends, they express how they miss their husbands, but it was not the same for me. They always respond that it was because I was circumcised”.

In truth, FGM in Africa is firmly rooted in cultural beliefs and practices, as evidenced by Patience’s testimonial. This mental gap, to a significant degree, remains responsible for the prevalence of this horrible practice. And the repercussions for defiance are worse even so. Women face stigma, public insults, withheld marriages, and such. In contrast, village members praise compliant women.

Speaking from her unique experience, Patience told Dataphyte of FGM’s prevalence in Kwale, Delta State. There, women undergo circumcision as early as eight months to prior or during pregnancy. And when asked of her sentiments towards the practice, she refuted it vehemently, adding she wanted the best for her daughter. 

“I really want her to enjoy her life to the fullest. I want her to feel like a woman. So I don’t support it, it’s not a good idea, as those circumcised are not happy. I SAY NO TO CIRCUMCISION OF WOMEN!”

The Girl Child Suffers Silently

Adenike Aloba, Gender Activist, maintained that the practice was intrusive and life-altering. Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of the girl child and women’s rights- the right to health, dignity, freedom from violence and inhumane treatment. These rights remain, whether the girl child or woman involved is aware of these rights or not.

Besides these violations, Adenike stressed that FGM puts the girl child through many pains. Alongside discrimination, the girl child faces physical and mental trauma.

“These effects impact on the integration of the girl child into society. Because an important element of integration is well being, and this has been taken away from victims of FGM.”

How Sufficient is Government’s Input?

In 2015, the government enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015, which recognises FGM as a crime. An infringement that attracts a 4-year jail term to offenders, or a fine of ₦200,000- per Section 6 of the Act. However, 23 states vehemently opposed to this Act with a refusal to implement it in their states.

In a chat with Dataphyte, Adenike Aloba posits that laws without workable enforcement plans are almost as useless and as dangerous as having no laws. A common occurrence observed in Nigeria’s many rules and treaties- they’re often duds failing to achieve its original intent.

The VAPP Act is no different; we often celebrate tokenism, e.g. signing a bill into law such as this Act signed into law in 2015, rather than focus on achieving the original purpose for the law.

Adenike Aloba, Gender Activist

Adenike further lamented how in half a decade, several states have failed to ratify the law to say nothing of enforcing it; Nigeria’s apparent implication is miles away from achieving the United Nation’s target for eradicating FGM by 2030. 

The Battle is Won in Unity

Nonetheless, the response and advocacy against FGM in the civil society space is laudable. Nigeria also recorded a decline in total cases from 25% in 2013 to 20% in 2018; consequently increasing women’s’ knowledge of the consequences of FGM on the girl child to 61%.

And though it’s still early days for eradicating this menace, collaboration could see more significant gains; this calls for the integration of all stakeholders – government, community leaders and the entire populace. 

Closely related to this would be a rigorous enlightenment campaign. After all, Nigeria saw a decline in FGM prevalence when there was an upsurge in knowledge on the subject. 

With regards to the VAPP Act, Mrs Aloba recognised the effort of pressure groups such as CSOs and health care practitioners in getting the law passed. However, she opined that these groups must keep the pressure up and the spotlight on the law’s ratification by all states and real enforcement of the law across boards. These pressures may include helping states design enforcement protocols and engaging with important allies like the media.

Author: Ode Uduu, Dennis Amata