Female genital mutilation still a big threat to nigerian. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women. About 20 million women and girls in nigeria have undergone female genital mutilation, 10% of the global total, according to a comprehensive report released on. More than 200,000,000 girls and woman have undergone female genital mutilation and cutting fgmc in 30 high prevalence countries, mainly in africa, south asia, and the middle east. 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. Prevalence of female genital mutilation and its determinants among pregnant women in benin city, nigeria obi aiand igbinadolor ol department of community health, college of medical sciences, university of benin, pmb 1154, benin city, edo state abstract background. Interventions to reduce the prevalence of female genital. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria. Apr 17, 2020 research directorate, immigration and refugee board of canada, ottawa.
It is estimated that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation in the countries where the practice is concentrated. In nigeria, the prevalence of fgm in women aged 1549 is 24. Since fgm is almost always carried out on minors, it is also a violation of the rights of children. Who classifies fgmc into four categories see box 1. Prevalence of fgm among women and girls, 1549 % prevalence of fgm among girls, 1519 % fgm prevalence rate in most affected ethnic group in the country % existence of policies and laws banning fgm. Fgm can cause severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, as well as complications in. Since 1990, the estimated number of girls and women in the us who have undergone female genital mutilation has more than tripled. Apr 18, 2016 female genital mutilation cutting fgmc comprises different practices involving cutting, pricking, removing and sometimes sewing up external female genitalia for nonmedical reasons. While the overall prevalence of fgm in ghana is 4%, studies have shown that the overall prevalence in the upper east region is 38%, with bawku municipality recording the highest at 82%. A 2015 unicef report claimed 1% of women aged 1549 had been subjected to fgm, but as of may 2018 there were no recent data confirming this figure. Female genital mutilation fgm is a harmful cultural practice perpetuating gender. Nigeria in the past had the highest absolute number of cases of fgm in the world amounting for about one quarter of the estimated 115 million circumcised women in the world.
Also the prevalence decreased with increasing level of education. Female genital mutilation is present in south sudan, but its exact prevalence is unknown. Criminal law in england and wales the act covers mutilation of the whole or any part of a girls or womans labia majora, labia minora or clitoris. More than 125 million girls and women alive today have been cut in the.
Female genital mutilation fgm refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Female genital mutilation fgm prevalence of fgm it is estimated that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation in the countries where the practice is concentrated. Most fgm is type 1 and type 2 which is carried out on girls. In nigeria, the prevalence of fgmc varies significantly by state. As fgm is less prevalent among younger women according to city university london in 2015, this suggested a decline in the practice.
Female genital mutilation refers to the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. It is mostly carried out using a blade by traditional circumcisers, who often play other central roles in communities, such as attending childbirths. Nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilation cutting fgmc prevalence in the world. The history, the current prevalence and the approach to a patient jewel llamas april 2017 introduction female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation fgm or female genital cutting fgc, is practiced in many countries spanning. The first comprehensive article on the epidemiology of female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation fgm is a procedure performed on women in. Elimination of female genital circumcision in nigeria who african. In nigeria, the prevalence of female genital mutilation averages 50%. Sources report that nigeria has the largest number of instances of fgm also known as female circumcision or genital cutting in the world, due to its large population leadership 6 feb. Progress report an update on whos work on female genital. Effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce the.
Female genital mutilation fgm is a harmful cultural practice perpetuating gender inequality and violence against women and the girl child. In fact, according to the unfpa, the attendant consequences of fgm are dire. In recent years, there have been strong policy actions by nigerian legislature to curb this practice. Accepted 29 november, 2010 female genital mutilation fgm or genital cutting, genital surgeries, excision or female. Female genital mutilationcutting in nigeria population council.
Sep 20, 2017 it details just one familys experience with the decadesold tradition of female genital mutilationcutting fgmc as practiced in southeastern nigeria. Female genital mutilation persists despite outlaw vanguard news. Female genital mutilation is prevalent in the gambia. Female genital mutilation fgm referring to all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons, is another form of csa that is rampant in nigeria. In nigeria, higher percentage of female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation edna adan maternity hospital.
Prevalence of fgm among women and girls, 1549 % prevalence of fgm among girls, 1519 % fgm prevalence rate in most affected ethnic group in the country %. The practice of fgmc is highly concentrated in a band of african countries from the atlantic coast to the horn of africa, in areas of the middle east such as iraq and yemen, and in some countries in asia like. Prevalence of fgm among women and girls, 1549 % prevalence of fgm among girls, 1519 %. Evidence to end fgmc is led by the population council, nairobi in partnership with the africa coordinating centre for the abandonment of female genital mutilation cutting accaf, kenya. The practice of female circumcision is widely known as female genital mutilation fgm. Objectives to determine the prevalence, predictors, of female genital mutilation fgm among infants and ascertain if their mothers knew what was done to them in birnin kudu northern nigeria.
Female genital mutilation fgm and cutting is a subject of global interest, with many countries of the world still practicing it despite efforts by the who and other agencies to discourage the practice. Prevalence and management of child sexual abuse cases. Apr 27, 2018 female genital mutilation has no known medical benefits to women and girls. Six states in nigeria that still practice female genital. Prevalence of female genital mutilation and its determinants. Evidence abound that the prevalence of fgm is declining. Ekeocha disclosed that there are about six states in nigeria that still practice female genital mutilation, including imo state, stressing that unicef and noa decided to move the sensitization. Its usually done without consent and awareness of the affected children. Their mothers were examined for genital mutilation and a questionnaire based on facetoface interview of the mothers was also administered. The national prevalence rate of fgm is 41% among adult women. Female genital mutilation cutting fgmc is a traditional practice that involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non. World health organization, eliminating female genital mutilation. While the fgm prevalence in nigeria is by no means the highest in the region, at 24.
The practice is common in several african countries. Female genital mutilation, a joint whounicefunfpa statement, 1997 female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other nontherapeutic reasons. The prevalence and practice of female genital mutilation in. In recent years, the procedure has been medicalized in some regions and it is carried out in health care facilities by trained health care personnel. Three out of ten nigerian women aged 15 to 49 and living in urban areas have undergone female genital mutilation, according to a latest report by 28 too many, an antifgm charity. The practices is customarily a family tradition that the young female of the age 015 would experience. Globally, three million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation fgm and an estimated 200 million girls and women in the world have undergone fgm. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is defined by the world health organization who as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. The global prevalence of female genital mutilation fgm ranges from 0.
It is typically done between infancy and the age of 15, but adult women may also undergo the. Not only is it practiced among communities in africa and the middle east, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. It is an ancient tradition in large parts of africa, including ethiopia, especially in the eastern part of the country. Elimination of female genital mutilation female circumcision in nigeria female genital mutilation fgm, commonly known as female circumcision involves the cutting off of part or the whole of a girls clitoris and some other parts of her. It is estimated that 30 million girls under the age of 15 are at risk of fgmc over the next decade 1. Statistical profile on female genital mutilationcutting female genital mutilationcutting fgmc refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. This study assessed prevalence and determinants of fgm among pregnant women in benin city. Female genital mutilation fgm involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. The prevalence and practice of female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation in nigeria with an increasing population in nigeria of approximately 186 million of which female population is approx. Pdf the epidemiology of female genital mutilation in nigeriaa. Prevalence and predictors of female genital mutilation among. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting fgc in nigeria accounts for the most female genital cutting mutilation fgmc cases worldwide. In scotland, fgm legislation is contained in the prohibition of female genital mutilation scotland act 2005.
The history, the current prevalence and the approach to a patient jewel llamas april 2017 introduction female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation fgm or female genital cutting fgc, is practiced in many countries spanning parts of africa, the middle east and southeast asia. Keywords female genital mutilationcutting, effectiveness citation denison e, berg rc, lewin s, fretheim, a. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing the external females genitalia or other injury to the female. The age at which female genital mutilation is carried out varies from one region to. Pdf the epidemiology of female genital mutilation in. Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation fgm worldwide, accounting for about onequarter of the estimated 115 million circumcised. There was no genital mutilation observed among the 200 female babies whose mothers completed the 9 months follow up, the prevalence of genital mutilation among the mothers was 48%. A stateoftheart synthesis on female genital mutilationcutting.
The southwestern region of nigeria has a female genital mutilation cutting fgmc prevalence rate of 47. She stated that the average national prevalence rate is 41 per cent, but reiterated, our ultimate goal is to get it to zero level, that is, no girl or woman should ever be subjected to female. Statistical profile on female genital mutilation cutting female genital mutilation cutting fgmc refers. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a human rights issue that affects girls and women worldwide. Formerly, royal tropical institute kit, amsterdam, netherlands. Within asia, malaysia, india, and indonesia have prevalence rates that. In nigeria, the prevalence of female genital mutilation averages 50% but ranges from 0% in. These absolute numbers are only behind egypt with 27.
Female genital mutilation world health organization. Please address any inquiries about the evidence to end fgmc programme consortium. Oct 11, 2016 about 20 million women and girls in nigeria have undergone female genital mutilation, 10% of the global total, according to a comprehensive report released on tuesday many nigerian girls are cut. Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter for helsetjenesten, 2009.
Abstract the paper analyzed the data collected during the ndhs 1999 survey on fgm with a view of ascertaining the type and extent of prevalence. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a global concern. Prevalence of female genital mutilation fgm among the urhobo, including the consequences for refusing to undergo this procedure, particularly pregnant women. The prevalence and practice of female genital mutilation in nnewi nigeria. The form practiced varies by ethnic group and geographical location. For example, in southern nigeria female genital mutilation is performed on babies in.
Female genital mutilation fgm is becoming less common, and opposition to the practice is growing in the last two decades, the proportion of girls and women who want the practice to stop has doubled. Female genital mutilation fgm is the surgical removal of part or all of the external female genital organs of a girlchild before sexual maturity. Fgmc is mainly practiced on prepubescent girls in 28 countries in africa. Prevalence and factors associated with female genital. About 140 million women worldwide have suffered genital mutilation. It details just one familys experience with the decadesold tradition of female genital mutilation cutting fgmc as practiced in southeastern nigeria. An overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria ncbi. Female genital mutilation fgm refers to procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Health complications of female genital mutilation in. Effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce the prevalence of female genital mutilationcutting. Female genital mutilation a factual overview prevalence estimates based on survey data suggest that in africa 91.
Population size, female, age 1549 in thousands, 2017. Research directorate, immigration and refugee board of canada, ottawa. In nigeria, fgm has the highest prevalence in the so. The practice is rife in southeast nigeria and efforts have been made to discourage it. Understanding and addressing violence against women female genital mutilation female genital mutilation1 fgm is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, reflecting deeprooted inequality between the sexes. Female genital mutilation is known to exist especially in many third world countries including nigeria with many women being victims of this harmful practice and its complications. The prevalence of female genital mutilation among the mothers increased with age. Nov 18, 2017 nigeria is ranked third highest in female genital mutilation cutting fgmc prevalence in the world. Feb, 2012 female genital mutilation fgm is nontherapeutic surgical modification of the female genitalia. It is also practised in a few countries on the arab peninsula, among minority community in asia, and among migrants from these areas who have settled in europe, australia and north america who, 2010. However, progress is not universal, and in some countries, fgm is as common today as it was three decades ago. Understanding and addressing violence against women. Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation fgm worldwide, accounting for about onequarter of the estimated 115 million circumcised women in the world.
Elimination of female genital circumcision in nigeria. It crosses the numerous population groups and is a part of. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. The who technical committee in 1995 classified female genital mutilation into four. In order to eradicate the harmful traditional practice of fgmc, which has devastating medical and social outcomes for girls and women, ahi carried out advocacy and capacity. One in four nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 years has experienced fgm, making the country number three in the world following egypt and ethiopia, the. In nigeria, the prevalence of fgm varies significantly by state. The highest prevalence is in south east and south west zones.
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