Why We Need to End Female Genital Mutilation

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This was a tough decision for me. When I realized I was mutilated, I quarreled with my mum for her ignorance.

This is the pain a young woman is forced to endure because her mother was unaware of the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

I have experienced men leaving me because of this. The nurse or whoever mutilated me must have been unprofessional. I don’t even feel like a woman at all, I thank God my husband understood, and we struggled through it.

This is the reality of about 115–130 million circumcised women worldwide, with an estimated 32.76 million women in Nigeria alone who have fallen victim to FGM.


According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Nigeria has a population of approximately 150 million, with women making up 52% of the population. 

The national prevalence rate of FGM stands at 41% among adult women. This means that more than 32 million Nigerian women have undergone this harmful practice.

Most of us get amused when people say sex is sweet, like we haven't really experienced the pleasure that comes with sexual intimacy.

These are the words of some of the many women living with the trauma of FGM.

One of the reasons this practice continues despite the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other advocacy groups is the deeply ingrained belief that FGM is not harmful.

Some argue that it helps control a woman's sexual desires.

But it helps, just that the help is evil. It helps a woman not to be promiscuous.


This harmful justification is why organizations, NGOs, international bodies, and religious institutions must intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of FGM.

What Is Female Genital Mutilation?

FGM refers to all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights, health, and the integrity of women and girls.

The Dangers of FGM

FGM has no health benefits and causes lifelong physical and psychological harm.S

  • Some of the risks include:
  • Severe pain and excessive bleeding
  • Infections and complications during childbirth
  • Loss of sexual pleasure and intimacy
  • Long-term psychological trauma, including depression and anxiety
  • In extreme cases, death

Why We Must Intensify Awareness

The world observes the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on February 6th every year to raise awareness and call for action to end this violation of human rights. 


Despite the global campaign, many communities still practice FGM due to cultural beliefs, misinformation, and societal pressure.

Ending FGM requires a collective effort.

Governments must enforce strict laws, religious leaders must speak against it, health professionals must refuse to carry it out, and media outlets must continue to expose its dangers.

Most importantly, survivors must share their stories to educate others.


Every girl deserves to grow up with dignity, free from harmful practices that violate her rights.

It is time to put an end to FGM, because no tradition or belief should justify pain, trauma, and injustice.

What do you know about Female Genital Mutilation?

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2025 at 12:55 AM

    End fgm. Thank you for this piece of awareness

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2025 at 1:04 AM

    Wow, this is so touchy!! This practice is really bad, our parents need to be made to understand this dangers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM

    God bless you Blessing for making this piece 🙏

    ReplyDelete

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