Perceptions About Female Genital Mutilation

In some parts of the world, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is seen as a cultural commitment and rite of passage. Some cultures believe a girl or woman who hasn't been mutilated is DIRTY. Yes, read that again. So it is practised in these places for hygienic reasons. Other reasons FGM is still practised in different parts of the world include; 

💔 It is believed, girls become beautiful after mutilation

💔 They remain virgins

💔 They are faithful to their husbands

💔 Male dominance

💔 It protects them from promiscuity.

💔 To make girls more desirable for marriage.

Some of the states with the highest rate of FGM in Nigeria, also claim the spot for the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the country. This goes to show, the above reasons are flawed.

Mutilating girls and women can never be a cure for promiscuity. It cannot end rape or sexual abuse. It doesn't make women faithful, women are faithful because they respect their vows. A beautiful woman is a beautiful woman, her beauty should never be attributed to cutting in any manner.

Some parts of Southern Nigeria believe no child should be born with its mother's clitoris intact, so FGM is performed on pregnant women some months before delivery. Other customs check that every dead brought in for burial have been mutilated, if found wanting they are mutilated right before any burial commences. This happens in Nigeria.

FGM exists to maim and control women's sexuality just like its counterpart iron breasting. I still cannot understand how this practice is still upheld even by the literate. I cannot understand how women are the enforcers of this menace when they felt the physical, emotional and psychological pain that comes with FGM. I don't understand how parents would give their babies to be mutilated. It breaks my heart to think that parents would prefer that babies undergo such torture even amid the awareness going on. It breaks my heart that our VAPP laws are not domesticated in all states of the Federation thus FGM continues to thrive.

FGM is a criminal offence and a violation of human rights. In Nigeria, 20 million women and girls have been mutilated, which means one out of 10 girls mutilated in the world is a Nigerian. Southern Nigeria has the highest prevalence of FGM. 

Today is the International Day for Zero Tolerance of FGM, I want to you, yes you reading to enlighten yourself about FGM, think of the plight of victims and survivors and join hands with campaigners and organizations working hard to ensure it's ELIMINATED. We must work together to end this menace.

Are you a survivor of FGM? Would you like to share your story to encourage young girls? Send me a message here 👇👇👇

https://tinyurl.com/FGMStories

#EndFGM

#GBVSeries76