Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria: A Persisting Challenge for Women’s Rights

Abstract

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. In recent years, there have been strong policy actions by Nigerian legislature to curb this practice. Despite that, FGM continues to be a widespread phenomenon. In this study, we aimed to report on the prevalence of FGM, women’s attitude towards this practice, and its association with selected sociodemographic factors. Methods: Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2003, 2008 and 2013 provided the data for this study. The participants were married women aged between 15 and 49 years. Owing to the clustered nature of the data, a complex survey plan was created to account for cluster effects and sampling weights. Data were analysed using bivariate and multivariate regression techniques. Results: Overall prevalence of FGM was 38.9% (95% CI = 36.4–40.1), and that among their daughters was 17.4% (95% CI = 15.3–19.7). There has been a substantial increase in the prevalence of FGM in 2013 compared to its 2003 level. Respondents who had undergone circumcision were more likely to have their daughters circumcised. In all three surveys, almost all of the circumcisions were performed by traditional practitioners. In the regression analysis, respondent’s age, area and region of residency, religious affiliation, educational status, and household wealth appeared to be significant predictors of FGM. Conclusion: In Nigeria, FGM remains a widely prevalent phenomenon with an increasing number of women experiencing this practice. Important regional and socioeconomic disparities were observed in the prevalence which merit urgent policy attention.

Female Genital Mutilation in Benin: Prevalence and Associated Factors Based on Data from the Demographic and Health Survey, 2011-2012

“…As demonstrated in other studies, women in rural areas were more likely to be subjected to FGM than those in urban areas [12] as urban women would be more educated and informed about the harms of this practice. Like other authors [5,[24][25][26], educational attainment was a protective factor against female genital mutilation in Benin according to the 2011-2012 DHS; thus women who had no education were the most frequently cut. Our study showed, as did the study conducted by Karmaker et al [28], that compared to women practicing traditional religion or voodoo, Muslim women were more likely to be circumcised, although no religion prescribes this practice [29].…”

“…The underlying assumption in the choice of sociodemographic variables was that female genital mutilation, as a contradictory practice, persists in some social groups because of either a lack of adequate information about adverse effects or a preference for adherence to traditional values of health and well-being. A common misconception was that some households chose not to deviate from the established social norm for fear of the high social costs that could result from non-compliance [5]. Cultural and ethnic practices that are potentially harmful to health are generally more prevalent among "lower" socio-economic status communities who are also less likely to acquire health knowledge [19].…”

“…Female genital mutilation (FGM) is recognized as an international public health problem because of its adverse impact on the physical and psychosocial well-being of women, and the violation of their sexual and reproductive health rights [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Many studies have shown that FGM is associated with the formation of clitoral cysts, bleeding, fistulas, obstetric complications, urinary infections and retention, vaginal tears, and psychological trauma [5][6][7][8][9][10]. Despite these complications, this ancestral tradition continues to be widespread, particularly in developing regions, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with a higher prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.…”

“…Other authors have reported supposed medical justifications, including cleanliness, hygiene, and increased femininity [16]. Although awareness of the harmful effects of female genital mutilation is now widespread in many countries, a considerable proportion of women who have themselves been circumcised continue to have a positive opinion on this issue [5].…”

Modelling and mapping of regional disparities associated with female genital mutilation/cutting prevalence among girls aged 0–14 Years in Senegal: Evidence from Senegal (SDHS) Surveys 2005–2017

“…Scholars have highlighted the possibility that social norms could be driving FGM/C in Senegal (Kandala and Shell-Duncan 2019). In addition, research efforts have been directed to increased understanding of contextual determinants of FGM/C and the distribution of the practice across communities and regions over time (Achia 2014;Yaya and Ghose 2018;Kandala and Shell-Duncan 2019). However, no study has so far assessed the linkage between geographical location, individualand community-level factors, and FGM/C among girls, using the most recent datasets available for Senegal.…”