UNICEF Report Highlights Urgent Need to End Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria
Written by Deborah Oyinloye on February 6, 2024
The latest report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has shed light on the alarming prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to eradicate this harmful practice.
According to Christiane Mundaute, the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, more than 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, with Nigeria accounting for a staggering 10 percent of this figure, estimated at 19.9 million individuals.
Speaking at a symposium in Ilorin, Kwara state, organized to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Mundaute emphasized that Nigeria ranks third-highest globally in the number of women and girls subjected to FGM.
Despite some progress in reducing the prevalence of FGM, recent data reveals that the practice remains widespread, particularly in Kwara state. Shockingly, statistics indicate that 58% of women aged 15-49 and 35% of girls aged 0-14 in the state have undergone FGM.
In response to this concerning trend, Mundaute called for a collective commitment to change, highlighting UNICEF’s ongoing efforts, in collaboration with UNFPA, to eliminate FGM through grassroots mobilization and advocacy initiatives.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, “Her Voice. Her Future. Investing in Survivors-Led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation,” underscores the importance of amplifying the voices of survivors and supporting their leadership in the movement to end FGM.
Mundaute lauded the progress made by the Movement for Good to End FGM, facilitated by youth-led Civil Society Organizations, which has mobilized millions of pledges to protect girls at risk of FGM across Nigeria.
In her remarks, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to combating FGM through the implementation of protective laws and initiatives aimed at promoting the dignity and well-being of women and girls.
AbdulRazaq highlighted the importance of gender inclusion and women’s leadership in driving progress towards equitable social and economic development, citing the 35 percent gender inclusion bill signed into law by the Kwara State Government.
As efforts intensify to end FGM in Nigeria, the voices of survivors and advocates resonate louder than ever, signalling a collective determination to create a future where the practice has no place in the lives of girls and women.
Author: Deborah Oyinloye
With an interest in media, Deborah aims to impart the lives of people positively.
