Law hopes to eliminate harmful traditional practice
Nigeria has taken a position of leadership and passed legislation criminalizing the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) on May 26, 2015. It is estimated that 19.9 million Nigerian women, and over 125 million girls and women worldwide, have undergone this procedure. Prevalence rates in countries such as Egypt, Somalia, and Djibouti are estimated to be as high as 95 per cent. It is hoped that this move will encourage the other 28 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where this act is most common, to recognize FGM as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, and to outlaw the practice.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as “…procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” There have been no associated health benefits for girls and women, and the procedures can result in severe bleeding and problems urinating, with future risk of infection, cysts, and infertility, as well as childbirth complications and increased risk for newborn mortality. FGM procedures include partial or total clitoridectomy, removal of the clitoris and labia minora (with or without removal of the labia majora), the narrowing the vaginal opening (usually by creating a seal by cutting and repositioning the inner or outer labia in a process called infibulation), or other piercing or scraping techniques.
In a 2013 report, UNICEF found that girls were predominantly cut before the age of 14, with many countries cutting girls before the age of five. “Social acceptance” was the most frequently provided reason for supporting the continuation of the practice, and in nearly all countries where FGM is common, traditional practitioners perform the majority of procedures.
The WHO further explained that FGM is often considered a necessary part of raising a girl properly, is meant to prepare a girl for adulthood, and instills beliefs of what is considered proper sexual behavior and modesty. It is important to note that FGM is a cultural concern. No known religious scripts prescribe genital mutilation, although practitioners often believe that the practice has religious support.
This new FGM ruling falls under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) legislation, which also includes forbidding forceful ejection from the home and harmful widowhood practices, as well as abandonment of dependents without sustenance. VAPP intends to eliminate violence in private and public life, as well as provide protection for victims. Passing this law was one of the final acts by outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan, with his successor Muhammadu Buhari being sworn in May 29. The timing of this law, which goes against a prominent cultural norm for a large portion of the population, allows Buhari to avoid any criticism from constituents for making the decision. He will have to enforce it, however, and this will certainly be an arduous task. For the future generations of Nigerian girls, this law provides hope that they will not have to endure such a needless and risky procedure for the sake of tradition.
Photo by Susan Elden/DFID via CC BY-SA 2.0