Historic move in Nigeria

History has been made in Nigeria, with the total ban on female genital mutilation finally coming into effect. The ban falls under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Action 2015 and was passed in Senate in May.

Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is the name given to the act of partially or totally removing the external female genitalia or causing injury to the female genital organs. Female genital mutilation takes place for non-medical purposes.

It’s hoped that the ban will eliminate the practise that has affected more than 130 million girls and women in 29 countries across Africa and the Middle East. Recent campaigns have seen figures drop in the last 30 years according to a UNICEF report, although in 2014 it was reported that a quarter of all women in Nigeria have undergone female genital mutilation.

For more information on female genital mutilation please see this report from World Health Organisation.