Female Genital Mutilation- Partnership with Men and Boys

By Aderonke Olisa
Editor, Loretta Enofe-Laurel

Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM) is the cutting away of part or all of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons - World Health Organisation (WHO). FGM is mostly carried out on girls between infancy and age 15.

It is a harmful practice that causes physical, mental, and medical harm (such as severe bleeding and problems urinating, cysts, infections, as well as complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths) to women and girls affected.

It robs girls of their childhood, dashes their hopes of adulthood, and leaves them with the trauma of motherhood due to the scarification process. FGM remains a widespread practice in Nigeria with an estimated 19.9 million survivors. Nigeria has the third-highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide.

According to a report by UNICEF in 2022, the national prevalence of FGM among women in Nigeria aged 15-49 dropped from 25 percent in 2013 to 20 percent in 2018, while the prevalence among girls aged 0-14 increased from 16.9 percent to 19.2 percent in the same period. The report also stated that an estimated 86 percent of females were cut before age 5, while 8 percent were cut between ages 5 and 14. Over the past years, many initiatives have been carried out to end FGM in Nigeria ranging from advocacy to sensitization and education of stakeholders. To this end, there has been a decline in the past years.

My sister took her first daughter for circumcsion even though she wasn't circumcised, said she didn't want trouble from the baby's dad and his mother - Pearl

Despite having more circumcisors as females, and mothers who take their daughters for the rite, engaging men and boys in the campaign against FGM is crucial.

This year’s theme for the International Day of Zero Tolerance Against FGM: Partnership with boys and men is driven towards their engagement.  This is because men constitute the majority in the group that are culture keepers and protectors who influence the uphold of this practice and other rites - positive or harmful. Also, when men join forces to speak against FGM, more action is taken and the voices of women and girls who advocate against the practice are further amplified, and female sustainers end have no reason to continue. The involvement of men and boys has yielded positive results in other initiatives with the #He4She Movement as a resounding example, giving foresight to the expected impact of this collaboration.

How Can Men and Boys Be Involved?

There are numerous ways of involvement such as men being at the forefront of campaigns against this practice.  

5 WAYS men and boys can get involved: LETAZ

1. Learn about FGM (GPI-Know-This-Series-FGM.pdf)
2. Educate other men ABOUT FGM
3. Take action at your (online) community level to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of FGM.
4. Amplify the voices of women to give more credibility and show support
5.  Zero Tolerance to FGM is your stand ALWAYS

Male traditional leaders and religious leaders should speak up at every opportunity to educate and sensitize their followers on the harm caused by FGM while discouraging the practice.

When men speak up for women, women are more protected in society. Therefore, it is time for men to take an active role in Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation.

#MenEndFGM

References

Female Genital Mutilation Day theme in 2023 – Partnership with Men and Boys

https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/press-releases/unicef-warns-fgm-rise-among-young-nigerian-girls https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation