Female Genital Cutting in Nigeria

Female Genital Cutting in Nigeria

The focus in this blog is on Nigeria, the reason being that it is the most populous state in Africa. The state of Nigeria has a population approximately 140 million according to the 2006 census. Due to the high population, the number of cases of female genital cutting in Nigeria is the highest worldwide. This harmful practice was reported to be done to 50 percent of the 50 million Nigerian women, hence this issue should not be ignored. For those who don’t know what female genital cutting is, the World Health Organization describe it as “all procedures which involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia and/ or injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons” (World health Organization). The procedure is irreversible and the effects last a lifetime. In Nigeria this procedure is forbidden in some states by the law, but it is still practices throughout the country. This issues has raised a lot of questions, like if it affect young girls’ education. Has this procedure been done to initiate young Nigerian girls into womanhood or to ensure virginity, or to protect female modesty and ensure the satisfaction of men?

According to the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, female genital cutting is performed by Muslims, Christians, and indigenous religion practitioners. They believe that is it necessary to have this procedure done for hygiene and aesthetic reasons. This practice is unique and differs from most other common traditional practices because of its physical, social, and psychological implications. The type of implication depends on the type of the procedure. The most intense form, infibulation, can cause severe shock and may also lead to death. This can cause struggles for the victim later on in life. A friend of mine who had this procedure done described it as painful and she dreads sex and childbirth. She said she is in constant fear and is not allowed to complain but has to be happy with the situation. When I asked if this has effects on her sexual pleasure, she said “I don’t think so, but then again I had no prior sexual experiences because this procedure was performed before I hit puberty.” She went on and said most girls have the desire to go through to the procedure to avoid being teased. According to one of my journal article, data has shown that women themselves perpetuates the practice of female genital cutting (Studies in Sociology of Science).  In the Nigerian community she grew up in, girls are showered with gifts and are often celebrated through ritual ceremonies when they undergo the procedure.

During my freshman year at Augsburg, I met this beautiful young women who had undergone this procedure. She described it as a beautiful and rewarding procedure. She said in the West it is portrayed to be detrimental and awful violence against young girls. In her eyes, this procedure was positive because it meant wealth and prosperity for her family. Her views is totally different from the young lady I mentioned above. She told me, it is not all of us that are fighting against this, only a few of us. That mean a lot to me. Some women like her do not want change. Just like many of us, we don’t want change. In her perspective, change means fear.

The main reason why this is still being practiced is because of the socio-economic factors. Often, the midwife or nurse is paid in cash. The use this money to support their family and that is probably the only source of their financial revenue. This practice is also done to honor the family and honor the young girls’ future in laws. In some parts of Nigeria it is important for the bride to be circumcised because it portrays the sign of virginity. Their virginity depends on the worth of their bride price, which is also known as a dowry.  Marriages are often conducted for economic reasons. It is considered uneconomic to educate girls in some part of Nigeria because they will become part of their husbands’ communities. In some parts of Nigeria uncircumcised girls are considered to be promiscuous, immature, and unclean which makes them unmarriageable. That will result in an enormous loss for a family in poverty. In this case, girls have no choice, but to undergo the procedure. Given their lack of education and age they still depend on their parents. Many girls’ viewpoints are not important in this case. If they are not circumcised, they can’t be married off and will be no use to the family.

There are efforts to eliminate female genital cutting, but it has been unsuccessful in Nigeria. The government of Nigeria is currently looking to ways to adopt a vigorous program, but as the first young lady said, the communities will never stop promoting this harsh practice. The only way this brutal violation of the rights of girls and women must end is only if the state of Nigeria health care system implemented a plan that will use sanitary tools and use anesthesia to perform this procedure. Of course with the high corruption in Nigeria, the cost of this implementation will be detrimental and complicate issues for the people. The girl I talked to is sure that this practice will never is eliminated, but if the international community educate the community heads, religious leaders, and parents and guardians of the evils of female genital cutting, maybe they would reconsider.  People should remember that female genital cutting has no single health benefit, it is only harmful and only sexually frustrates married women.

I think female genital cutting is a way to control women sexuality. Many mothers chose to subject their young girls to the practice to protect them from disgrace. In my opinion, this fight against female genital cutting should not be seen as a fight for us women alone, but rather men can also support this fight and help protect their young girls, their daughters, from this violation. If there was maybe an international pressure put on those countries or international sanctions that could help reduce this problem. I don’t want to be seen like I don’t agree with this practice, but I just want to make it clear that it is severe and I don’t see any health benefits in it.

There is a need to abolish this detrimental practice. There should be laws, health care organizations, international women empowerment education and a significant approach to female genital cutting. This is less likely to occur because most people in this region firmly believe in their practice. Their wealth depends on it. If there were efforts to address the social and economic aspect of this issue, there could be progress.

References

Feyi-Waboso, Paul, and Amos Akinbiyi. "Knowledge Of, Attitudes About, and Practice of Female Genital Cutting in Antenatal Patients Among Igbos in Nigeria." Journal of Gynecologic Surgery. 22.3 (2006): 89-95. Print.

Johnson, OE, and RD Okon. "Perception and Practice of Female Genital Cutting in a Rural Community in Southern Nigeria." African Journal of Reproductive Health. 16.4 (2012): 132-9. Print

Babalola, Stella, Angela Brasington, Ada Agbasimalo, Anna Helland, Edith Nwanguma, and Nkechi Onah. "Impact of a Communication Programme on Female Genital Cutting in Eastern Nigeria." Tropical Medicine & International Health. 11.10 (2006): 1594-1603. Print.

Edim, M. E., Ekuri, P. E., & Odok, E. A. (2012). “Female genital mutilation and early marriage: a violent on the health of the girl-child in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria.” (Clinical report). Studies In Sociology Of Science, (4), 36.Print.

Interviewed two students