Our guest, Dr. Akinbowale Akinyele on Let’s Talk FGM discussed the issues of the medicalization of FGM.

He said, “Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is an internationally known evil and is described as any procedure whether partially or totally done on female genitalia or any surgery done to remove female tissue.

“I look at it in a concise way, I usually call it female Genital cutting that is of no medical importance. When a health worker is involved in female Genital cutting, it is classified as the medicalization of FGM. It is wrong for a health worker to be involved in female Genital cutting.

“FGM is as old as human existence and it stems from culture and traditions that view women who are not cut as unclean and so medical practitioners are involved to reduce the pain associated with the procedure but in the real sense, what is not necessary, we do not have a reason to coat it. FGM is not necessary irrespective of who is performing the procedure.”

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However, there is great progress at the national level in the work to end Female genital mutilation. 24 countries in Africa now ban FGM, according to UNFPA, including countries where the practice was once almost universal (such as Egypt and Sudan). But while national legislation should be advocated, it is not sufficient. Laws against traditional practices often go unheeded in countries where local chiefs and religious leaders exercise more influence than the government.

Insights generated at the local level are most important, and they can fuel the urgency, issues of Female Genital mutilation need. Chief among these is the recognition that FGM is deeply embedded in culture. While the UN and international communities find the practice barbaric, FGM is culturally and often religiously important to the people who perpetuate it. Cutting is considered a central rite of passage for girls, a ceremony that marks the transition to womanhood and represents a key step toward marriage and motherhood. Parents, influenced by social norms and community expectations, believe that cutting secures social and economic security for their daughters. In this view, the social harm of not cutting outweighs any physical, psychological, or legal risk.

The ability to halt these harmful practices with more urgency, then, has to come by taking account of culture and harnessing it for change.

Check our guest, Chief Lateef Azeez Akinsowo’s opinion on Understanding and changing cultural beliefs on FGM on this episode of Let’s Talk FGM.

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To commemorate the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed every November 25^th, HACEY Health Initiative, through its StopCut project hosted a conference https://youtu.be/Lqtb2pHq-lk to launch a report on FGM laws, research on the knowledge, prevalence, and contributory factors of FGM alongside a video documentary.

The project launched a report carried out by a team of law firms across Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda to compare FGM Laws in the states of Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo in Nigeria (the Nigerian FGM/C Laws”), with those of other parts of the country, particularly that of Lagos State and the Federal capital territory, Abuja, being the major commercial cities in Nigeria on one hand and, Kenya and Uganda on the other.

Findings from the report revealed that despite the FGM laws enacted by the states, the practice is still alarmingly high. It also identifies the gaps in the Nigerian FGM Laws and proffers recommendations based on the gaps identified.

Meanwhile, the research launched revealed that over 50 percent of women of child-bearing age in the three project states – Osun (76.8 percent), Oyo (51.8 percent), and Ekiti (52.6 percent), have been mutilated.

It further revealed a 3.3 percent and 10 percent reduction in the prevalence of the practice in Oyo and Ekiti states, compared to the 2016-2017MICS study. However, there was a nine percent increase in the prevalence of FGM in Osun State in comparison. While gains have been made in the reduction of the practice of FGM, the prevalence in the three states remains significant, indicating the need for intensified efforts towards the abandonment of this practice.

HACEY in 2020 initiated the StopCut project in 3 of the states with the highest prevalence of FGM in Nigeria – Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo state, with the aim to protect The research revealed that traditional circumcisers known as ‘Oloola’ in Yorubaland, healthcare practitioners, and traditional birth attendants have been responsible for the practice to date.

The project through advocacy, capacity building, research, and education strategies in communities engaged and trained state and community key stakeholders to

At least 200 million women and girls in 31 countries around the world are living with the results of the dangerous practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a report by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. The practice is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

Most of the 31 countries where FGM is practiced have legislated against it. However, until social norms change, the practice continues in secret. HACEY Health Initiative is educating and empowering communities to end FGM.

The video documentary is a compilation of survivor stories; reporting their experiences, and effects of FGM.

Watch the video documentary here.

Read more about the stopcut project and follow us on social media for updates.

Written by Titilayo Fakeye

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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is violence perpetrated against women and girls. It is the total or partial removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons and Nigeria records over 20 million women and girls who have been exposed to this inhumane practice, with many more at risk.

Most of the 31 countries where FGM is practiced have legislated against it. However, until social norms change, the practice continues in secret. HACEY Health Initiative is educating and empowering communities to end FGM.

Hence, to commemorate the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed every November 25^th, HACEY Health Initiative, through its StopCut project is set to host a conference;

– To launch the report on the state of our laws on FGM.

– To premiere the StopCut documentary.

– To bring key stakeholders together to discuss current progress in ending FGM, existing barriers, available opportunities, and required strategies towards ending FGM by 2030.

– To share insight from our female genital mutilation research efforts.

The conference which will have physical and virtual access will feature panelist discussions on Adopting Laws and policies to end FGM by 2030 and Unleashing the power of stories in promoting community action to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It is strongly believed that the knowledge and resources gathered during the conference would play a crucial role in identifying strategies to promote actions to end FGM across prevalent areas in Nigeria.

HACEY in 2020 initiated the StopCut project in 3 of the states with the highest prevalence of FGM in Nigeria – Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo state, with the aim to protect women and girls from FGM by creating awareness on existing protective laws and policies, and promoting their effective implementation.

The project through advocacy, capacity building, research, and education strategies in communities engaged and trained state and community key stakeholders to advocate for the enforcement of FGM laws and policies, created awareness on FGM, and promoted increased reporting of FGM incidents. It has trained 96 media personnel, engaged 274 traditional and community leaders in 72 Communities in Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo state.

Read more about the stopcut project and follow us on social media for updates.

Written by Titilayo Fakeye

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Female Genital Mutilation is the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia for no medical or religious reason. It is a precursor to a lifelong health and psychological complication that causes irreparable and irreversible harm to its victims.

Female Genital Mutilation originated from ancient beliefs and is practised among many African cultures today. Reports show that an estimate of over 200 million girls has been mutilated – UNFPA, 2020.

In Nigeria, 25% of women and girls between the ages of 15-49 have undergone at least one form of FGM, with the highest prevalence in Ekiti, Ebonyi, Oyo, Osun and Imo States. Female Genital Mutilation is associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal health outcomes, including obstetric fistula that negatively impacts child health and contributes to child mortality. Other complications resulting from FGM can include excessive bleeding, severe pain and infection.

With support from the UN Trust Fund and Spotlight Initiative, HACEY Health Initiative is executing the StopCut project. This project is a three (3) year project to collaborate with stakeholders across government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and local communities to end FGM in Ekiti, Oyo and Osun States where FGM cases are highly prevalent in Nigeria.

We need continuing and coordinated efforts led by survivors, community leaders, and security agencies to uproot this practice.

Written by Tomiyin Ayibiowu.

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The advocacy visit was made by members of staff of the organization recently in Ekiti.

In line with this, the organization paid an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Education, and in attendance were the Honorable Commissioner of Education, Dr Mrs Bimpe Aderiye, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mrs Foluke Olomojobi, the Press Officer, Mrs Dada, the Deputy Director, Mrs Alokan and the FGM Alliance team.

Also present at the visit were; Ekiti State FGM Coordinator, Ministry of Health: Mrs Akinleye, The Senior Education Officer Gender, Ministry of Education; Mrs Owoseni, HACEY Health Initiative State Coordinator, Oluwanifemi Ayeni, and HACEY Health Initiative Volunteer, Toluwanimi Arogundade.

Various stakeholders have contributed immensely towards advocating against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) practices in Nigeria.

The Stop Cut Project is a United Nations Trust Fund (UNTF) funded project to end Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) in southwest Nigeria.

The project is focused on reducing FGM/C practice in Ekiti, Osun and Oyo state in Southwest Nigeria by improving policy and law implementation by December 2023.

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