A public health nurse, Mrs Mojirade Adesanya, has described Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), as a gender-based violence with resulting long-term physical and psychological consequences.
Adesanya, the Programme Coordinator at the Stand Foundation, an NGO, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Ibadan.
“The FGM, sometimes called female circumcision, refers to the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia, has long term consequences that women have to deal with for the rest of their lives.
“FGM is violence against women and girls because it is one of the most common human rights abuses against women and girls.
“This harmful procedure is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15, but adult women may also undergo the procedure.
“It reflects gender-based violence and gender discrimination with no health benefits.
“According to the United Nations, FGM affects at least 200 million girls, and it is practiced in 31 countries. It also noted that at least four million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM yearly,” she said.
Adesanya said many women and girls who were victims of FGM could experience lifelong health complications such as infertility, ulcers, and serious sexual health issues.
“These women and girls may also contract hepatitis and HIV due to unsterilised tools.
“There is evidence that women who have had their genitals cut suffer substantial difficulties during and/or after childbirth.
“FGM can also increase the risk of post-partum bleeding and maternal mortality.’’
Adesanya however, called for increased girl-child education and women empowerment, to enable them make informed choices over their bodies.
She also called for accelerated and increased investment in girl-child education to combat and eliminate FGM by 2030.
“Promoting and investing in girl-child education beyond the primary level will help to end this dangerous and harmful practice.
“Increasing advocacy, awareness and knowledge around the harmful practice and women empowerment has proven to be very effective in reducing female genital mutilation,” she said. (NAN)
