Nigeria, through the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), has called on well-meaning individuals and organizations to join the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM).
The executive secretary of the CNDH, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), made the call this Sunday in commemoration of the World Day of Zero Tolerance for the practice of FGM in 2022, according to a statement from the deputy director of public affairs of the commission, Fátima Mohammed .
“The commission calls on well-meaning individuals and organizations to join in its determination to do more on issues related to zero tolerance for female genital mutilation in the country,” Mr. Ojukwu was quoted as saying in the statement.
He added that the commission has always led efforts to eradicate the unsightly, unhealthy, harmful and degrading practice of female genital mutilation over the years.
She recalled the findings of several studies that highlighted serious deficiencies in protection and supervision in national and international frameworks for survivors of female genital mutilation.
In association with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Civil Resources Documentation Development Center (CIRDDOC), Mr. Ojukwu said that the NHRC had prepared a training manual on human rights and other concerns related to FGM in Nigeria.
“The manual that was developed in 2017 has continued to be a source of reference material for academia, development partners and the public around the world,” said Mr. Ojukwu.
Mr. Ojukwu said that the Handbook provides an overview of the background of women’s human rights and female genital mutilation, which is a type of violence against women and girls.
He added that the Manual also provides guidance for reporting FGM according to prescribed standards.
World Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM
FGM, according to the United Nations (UN), “includes all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.”
It is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights, health and integrity of girls and women, says the world organization, as it aims to eradicate it worldwide by 2030.
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is an event organized by the UN to promote the eradication of the threat.
It is marked on February 6 of each year.
It was first introduced in 2003 and is now branded in major countries around the world. The annual event is part of advocating for women’s rights over their bodies and the protection of their physical health, which can have a significant impact in the future.
According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), between 120 and 140 million women have been subjected to female genital mutilation over the years, and at least 3 million girls are at risk each year.
Dataphyte had reported in 2020 that 2 out of 10 Nigerian women had been circumcised.
According to the report, “20 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have been circumcised. Even more worrying, 86 percent of circumcisions took place before the woman’s fifth birthday.”
PREMIUM TIMES also reported in 2018 how 13 percent of women, about one in 10, who have been FGM in Nigeria were performed by medical professionals.
The report stated that despite growing campaigns against the barbaric act, many medical professionals continued to participate in the act, causing a setback in the process of eradicating the practice.