Action, not words, needed to end menace — Opinion — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

Among the socio-cultural anomalies within Nigeria and many parts of Africa in general, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains topmost, despite the many wars to stamp out the tide. Unarguably, the justification for this practice is often rooted in the assumption that it enhances a woman’s prospects for marriage and has the tendency to reduce promiscuity, among others. Ironically, this practice has no health benefits and has continued to harm girls and women in many ways, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO has posited that FGM encompasses all procedures that involve the partial or total excision of external female genitalia or any other form of injury to the female genital organs conducted for non-medical purposes. This practice is not only painful but also puts the girl-child at risk of health challenges. Yet, it serves as a valid reason to sack women from their marital homes or subject them to other ill treatments should they dare to raise objections to the circumcision of their daughters.

Globally, this practice is recognized as a grave violation of the fundamental human rights of women and girls. This underscores the need to question the efficacy of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) in Nigeria. The VAPP Act, which came into effect on May 25, 2015, represents the first federal legislation aimed at prohibiting FGM nationwide. This Act seeks to eradicate gender-based violence in both private and public spheres by criminalizing and prescribing penalties for offenses such as rape (excluding spousal rape), incest, domestic violence, stalking, harmful traditional practices, and FGM.

Unfortunately, many of these practices are not even reported to the police because the majority of the women often fear jeopardizing their marriages by involving law enforcement against their husband’s family. In a typical Nigerian setting, taking such a step can lead to the husband divorcing his wife, which can have profound psychological and social effects on the woman.

In Nigeria, where it is common for women to take on the primary responsibility of caring for the children while the husbands work, this situation can also create significant financial challenges. The woman’s dependence on her husband’s income makes her more vulnerable, as a divorce could leave her without financial support. Additionally, societal stigma surrounding divorced women exacerbates the issue, as Nigerian society often views a woman who is no longer in her husband’s home as unworthy of marriage, regardless of the circumstances. This harsh judgment, coupled with financial insecurity and emotional distress, can ultimately lead to depression, as the woman struggles with isolation, economic hardship, and the pressure of societal expectations.

In recent findings, many women have continued to face coercion, predominantly from in-laws, to subject their daughters—regardless of whether they are teenagers or toddlers—to this harmful practice. The coercion manifests in various forms, including physical assaults, threats, verbal harassment, and financial oppression, ultimately compelling most women to yield to the demands of their family members. The fear of possible outcomes even compels some of these women to either hide their identities while speaking to journalists on issues of this nature or outrightly decline comments. This shows the level of fear, coercion, and psychological dispositions of the majority of the women.

Moving around the South-East, South-West, South-South, and other parts of Northern Nigeria, news abounds on this topical cultural issue. In a 2022 publication by UNICEF on FGM in Nigeria, about 19.9 million women are survivors of this practice, which makes Nigeria the country with the third highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide. Most of the affected victims are aged 0-14. This figure has continued to rise unabated over the years.

Of a truth, the above scenario is almost non-existent in Western climes because FGM is unequivocally prohibited, with stringent legal repercussions, including custodial sentences for perpetrators. Consequently, some affected women seek asylum in these nations, viewing them as the safest environments where they can shield their daughters from such inhumane practices. Conversely, while some Nigerian laws criminalize FGM, almost every region has continued to prioritize entrenched traditional customs over statutory laws. In some cases, groups of people and family members push for a particular course of action, and with this pressure and minimal support from any source, the victim is left with no options. Additionally, in certain situations, affluent and well-connected individuals reportedly compromise law enforcement officers, leaving victims without legal recourse.

It, therefore, becomes imperative to intensify advocacy by all well-meaning individuals against this ugly situation. Compulsory and effective education can also help to curtail this practice. More so, serious women empowerment is needed in order to reduce over-dependence on husbands, making women capable of standing up for their daughters against this menace.

Okere is an Imo State-based social crusader and opinion moulder.