With an estimated 19.9 million survivors, Nigeria ranks third in the world for the number of women and girls who have suffered female genital mutilation, according to two UN organizations.
4.3 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation this year, and that number is expected to rise to 4.6 million by 2030, according to UN agencies the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Population Fund.
The agencies stated in a joint statement on Monday that without immediate action, the world will fall short of the goal of eradicating FGM by 2030.
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on February 6 in order to focus and magnify efforts to end this practice. Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End FGM is the theme for this year.
FGM refers to all non-medical operations that include the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia or other harm to the female genital organs.
According to experts, the practice has no positive effects on a girl’s or woman’s health and leads to extreme bleeding, urination issues, cysts, infections, labor complications, and a higher risk of stillbirth.
“This year, 4.3 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation, according to the latest estimates. This number is projected to reach 4.6 million by 2030, as conflict, climate change, rising poverty, and inequality continue to hinder efforts to transform gender and social norms that underpin this harmful practice and disrupt programmes that help protect girls.
“FGM remains widespread in Nigeria. With an estimated 19.9 million survivors, Nigeria accounts for the third-highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide, with the risk of cutting highest in the first five years (86 per cent of girls circumcised before age 5 – National Demographic and Health Survey 2018).
“FGM prevalence in Nigeria is decreasing among women aged 15-49 according to data from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Survey (18 per cent to 15 per cent 2016-17/2021). Similarly, the prevalence among girls aged 0-14 decreased from 25 per cent to eight per cent during the same time period (MICS 2021). This significant decrease in prevalence among girls aged 0-14 is a welcome development, given that an estimated 86 per cent of females aged 15-49 were subjected to FGM before the age of 5 (NDHS 2018),” the statement read in part.
It, however, said 12 states had a prevalence higher than the national prevalence, ranging from 9 per cent in Edo to 35 per cent in Kwara and Kano at the same time.
The organisations said FGM violates the rights of women and girls and limits their opportunities for the future in health, education, and income.