By Damilola Ogunsakin

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains one of the most grievous violations of human rights, affecting over 230 million women and girls worldwide. Despite global efforts to eradicate this harmful practice, it continues to thrive, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Nigeria, with an estimated 19.9 million survivors, ranks third in the world for the highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM.

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As the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on February 6, the theme for this year, Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM, calls for intensified action and collaboration to accelerate the fight against this practice. With just five years left to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5.3, which aims to eliminate FGM by 2030, efforts must be scaled up significantly.  

Despite progress in reducing FGM rates among Nigerian women, UNICEF reports that female genital mutilation among women in Nigeria aged 15-49, dropped from 25 per cent in 2013 to 20 per cent in 2018, prevalence among girls aged 0-14 increased from 16.9 per cent to 19.2 per cent in the same period. An estimated 86 per cent of females were cut before the age of 5, while 8 per cent were cut between ages 5 and 14.

According to World Health Organization, WHO, FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and it interferes with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies. it results in severe pain, excessive bleeding, infections, childbirth complications, and long-term psychological trauma. The consequences not only threaten the well-being of individuals but also hinder national development and treatment of the health complications of FGM is estimated to cost health systems US$ 1.4 billion per year, a number expected to rise unless urgent action is taken towards its abandonment.

FGM persists due to deeply rooted cultural beliefs, often upheld by family members and community leaders. It is often performed under the guise of tradition, religion, or social norms, yet it has no medical benefits. With an estimated 4 million girls at risk of FGM each year, the urgency to act has never been greater. If the current trend continues, 27 million additional girls could undergo FGM by 2030. This is unacceptable. Every girl deserves to grow up free from harm, with the right to make decisions about her body and future.  

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM serves as a reminder that change is possible, but only if we work together. Governments, communities, families, and individuals must step up their efforts to break the cycle of FGM. The time to act is now—Nigeria, and the world, must strengthen alliances and build movements to end FGM once and for all.