However, some study revealed that more than 5 million women have. Female genital mutilationcutting in nigeria population council. Sources report that nigeria has the largest number of instances of fgm also known as female circumcision or genital cutting in the world, due to its large population leadership 6 feb. The issue of female genital mutilation, a practice encompassing a partial or complete removal of the clitoris, has been a tricky and. Pdf obstetric and marital consequences of female genital. The issue of female genital mutilation in nigeria is being tackled by the world health organization who, unicef, the economic commission of africa figo and many other organizations. Elimination of female genital circumcision in nigeria. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a global concern. The most common type of the female genital mutilation is type 2. Female genital mutilation and its effects on women and young girls.
The practice of female circumcision is widely known as female genital mutilation fgm. In nigeria, the prevalence of fgm in women aged 1549 is 24. Elimination of female genital mutilation female circumcision in nigeria female genital mutilation fgm, commonly known as female circumcision involves the cutting off of part or the whole of a girls clitoris and some other parts of her sex organs for cultural or any other nontherapeutic reasons. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc comprises different practices involving cutting, pricking, removing and sometimes sewing up external female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a human rights issue that affects girls and women worldwide. It details just one familys experience with the decadesold tradition of female genital mutilation cutting fgmc as practiced in southeastern nigeria. Nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilationcutting fgmc prevalence in the world. It occurs mainly in countries along a belt stretching from senegal in west africa to somalia in east africa and to yemen in the middle east, but it is also practised in some parts of southeast asia. According to the world health organization, it comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a traditional practice with severe health consequences for girls and women. Although considered a violation of human rights, female genital mutilation fgm is a commonly accepted practice in nigeria in.
It crosses the numerous population groups and is a part of. Although considered a violation of human rights, female genital mutilation fgm is a commonly accepted practice in nigeria in the ritual and sociocultural context of the population. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cuttingmutilation fgmc cases worldwide. Female genital mutilation fgm and cutting is a subject of global interest, with many countries of the world still practicing it despite efforts by the who and other agencies to discourage the practice. Degree programme in social services female genital mutilation fgm is a term used to describe various traditional practices.
In fact, according to the unfpa, the attendant consequences of fgm are. However, progress is not universal, and in some countries. It is typically done between infancy and the age of 15, but adult women may also undergo the. Female genital mutilation fgm, commonly known as female circumcision involves the cutting off of part or the whole of a. Read all the latest news, breaking stories, top headlines, opinion, pictures and videos about female genital mutilation from nigeria and the world on today. Elimination of female genital mutilation female circumcision in nigeria female genital mutilation fgm, commonly known as female circumcision involves the cutting off of part or the whole of a girls clitoris and some other parts of her sex organs for. Six states in nigeria that still practice female genital. Review of the practice of female genital mutilation in nigeria. This article examines the relationships between fgm practice and obstetric complicationsmarital harmony among evermarried women in lagos metropolis, nigeria. Please address any inquiries about the evidence to end fgmc programme consortium. Since fgm is almost always carried out on minors, it is also a violation of the rights of children. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria.
In recent years, there have been strong policy actions by nigerian legislature to curb this practice. The form practiced varies by ethnic group and geographical location. The national prevalence rate of fgm is 41% among adult women. Female genital mutilation news latest breaking stories. The united states is committed to ending female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc. Female genital mutilationcutting in the united states.
Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. Globally, it is estimated that some 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of fgm. Female genital mutilation, a joint whounicefunfpa statement, 1997 female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other nontherapeutic reasons. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the external females genitalia or other injury to the female. Section 62 criminalises and punishes anyone who performs, or engages another to perform, female circumcision or genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation fgm comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Despite that, fgm continues to be a widespread phenomenon. About 20 million women and girls in nigeria have undergone female genital mutilation, 10% of the global total, according to a comprehensive report released on tuesday many nigerian girls are cut.
Female genital mutilation fgm has complex causes, yet simple solutions. If you believe you are at risk of fgmc, know of someone at risk of fgmc, have questions about fgmc, or have undergone fgmc and need help or further information, please contact the number below. Not only is it practiced among communities in africa and the middle east, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. Female genital mutilation fgm also called female genital cutting fgc or female circumcision is a public health problem the world over. Female genital mutilation fgm, one of the most controversial and notsowidely discussed harmful traditional practice, cannot be hidden anymore, thanks to the forces of citizen journalism. It details just one familys experience with the decadesold tradition of female genital mutilationcutting fgmc as practiced in southeastern nigeria.
The health consequences of fgm include bacterial and viral infections. Research directorate, immigration and refugee board of canada, ottawa. While the fgm prevalence in nigeria is by no means the highest in the region, at 24. Evidence to end fgmc is led by the population council, nairobi, in partnership with the africa coordinating centre for the abandonment of female genital mutilationcutting accaf, kenya. Female genital mutilation fgm is a practice that involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for nonmedical reasons, and it is internationally recognized as a human rights violation. Updated estimates of women and girls at risk, 2012 pdf, 466 kb dhs female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc outreach strategy, january 2017 pdf, 263 kb international organizations. Nigeria in the past had the highest absolute number of cases of fgm in the world amounting for about one quarter of the estimated 115 million circumcised women in the world. An overview of the health consequences involved in the practice of clitoral disgust proceedings of the ires 16th international conference, riyadh, saudi arabia, 16th november 2015, isbn. One in four nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 years has experienced fgm, making the country number three in the world following egypt and ethiopia, the. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cuttingmutilation fgmc cases. The nigerian government has taken the historic step of outlawing the practice of female genital mutilation fgm, in a move campaigners describe as hugely important.
Understanding and addressing violence against women. In this study, we aimed to report on the prevalence. Worldwide, nigeria has the highest absolute number of known cases of female genital mutilation fgmapproximately 25% of the estimated 115 million circumcised women in the world okeke. Female genital mutilation fgm is becoming less common, and opposition to the practice is growing in the last two decades, the proportion of girls and women who want the practice to stop has doubled. Knowledge, attitude and practice of female genital. Analysis of the data reflects current perspectives on fgmc, informed by the latest policy, programmatic and theoretical evidence. Female genital mutilation fgm also known as female genital cutting fgc, female circumcision, or female genital mutilationcutting fgmc, is defined by the world health organization as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. The history, the current prevalence and the approach to a patient jewel llamas april 2017 introduction female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation fgm or female genital cutting fgc, is practiced in many countries spanning. This report is a comprehensive statistical overview of female genital mutilationcutting fgmc in the 29 countries where the practice is concentrated. An overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria ncbi. Female genital mutilation refers to the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. Female genital mutilation is classified into four major types who, 1996. A crosssectional survey was carried out, and a quantitative analytical technique was used. Elimination of female genital circumcision in nigeria who african.
Health impacts of female genital mutilationcutting. Female genital mutilation fgm is defined by the world health organization who as all procedures which involve partial or total removal of the external female. Population size, female, age 1549 in thousands, 2017. The practice of fgmc is highly concentrated in a band of african countries from the atlantic coast to the horn of africa, in areas of the middle east such as iraq and yemen, and in some countries in asia like. Female genital mutilation fgm is a procedure performed on women in developing. Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation fgm worldwide, accounting for about onequarter of the estimated 115 million circumcised. The most common type of the female genital mutilation is type 2 which account for up to. Ekeocha disclosed that there are about six states in nigeria that still practice female genital mutilation, including imo state, stressing that unicef. This country profile provides comprehensive information on female genital mutilation fgm in nigeria, detailing the current research and discussing the political. This article examines the nexus between female genital mutilation fgm and three thematicfundamental areas of women sexual functioning in the study location. There is a great need to break the silence among women who have been. The general public at all levels has been given an intensified education emphasizing on the undesirability and dangers of female genital mutilation. Healthcare providers play an important role in the treatment and care of the 200 million girls and.
These thematic areas are womens sexual desireinitiation, sexual activity and sexual. Understanding and addressing violence against women female genital mutilation female genital mutilation1 fgm is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, reflecting deeprooted inequality between the sexes. Government fact sheet on female genital mutilation or. Female genital mutilation has no known medical benefits to women and girls. The practices is customarily a family tradition that the young female of the age 015 would experience. Although fgm is declining in the majority of countries where it is prevalent, most of these. Female genital mutilation and human rights the guardian.
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