A razor blade and a knife used for Female Genital Mutilation [FGM](PHOTO CREDIT: ICWA)

Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria have spoken out about the deep emotional, physical, and social scars caused by the harmful practice. At a two-day Media Dialogue to Support Advocacy to End FGM held Thursday in Benin, they called on government, religious leaders, and communities to intensify efforts to eradicate FGM.

Painful Experiences and Emotional Scars

Doris Akhere, one of the survivors, recounted that her mother told her she was mutilated just eight days after birth, resulting in severe bleeding and a three-month hospitalisation. She said she only discovered her FGM history at age 15 during a biology class when diagrams of female reproductive organs revealed to her what had been done.

According to Mrs. Akhere, the stereotype that uncircumcised girls are more likely to be promiscuous is baseless and damaging. “It is a harmful myth that must be dispelled in our communities,” she said.

Another survivor, Rachael Odion, a 56-year-old mother, revealed that three of her five daughters were subjected to FGM due to her lack of awareness about its dangers at the time. She added that circumcised children frequently experience itching, emotional numbness, and are more susceptible to infections.

Grace Ogar, a survivor turned cutter, disclosed that she inherited the practice from her grandmother and had lost count of how many girls she had mutilated over the years. She said her past relationships failed due to emotional detachment and trauma, leaving her hesitant to pursue another marriage. Ms. Ogar vividly described the cutting process as involving heavy bleeding, intense pain, and unsterilised tools like razor blades.

Religious Leaders Join the Campaign

An advocate against FGM, Pastor Ken Izah, stressed that biblical teachings do not support the practice. Citing Genesis 17:23, he noted that God commanded circumcision for males, not females. “FGM has no place in God’s plan and must be eradicated from our communities,” Mr. Izah said.

Call for Action

Speakers at the dialogue urged federal and state governments to increase public education and enforcement of anti-FGM laws. They also called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious institutions to lead by example and publicly renounce the practice.

UNICEF representatives at the event emphasised that FGM is a violation of human rights and has no health benefits. The agency reaffirmed its support for advocacy and community-level interventions to end the practice in Nigeria.

Why It Matters

According to UNICEF, Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of FGM survivors globally, with millions of women and girls affected despite laws prohibiting it. Health experts warn that FGM can cause severe bleeding, infections, infertility, complications during childbirth, and long-term psychological trauma.

By sharing their stories, survivors hope to break the silence, dispel myths, and drive momentum toward a future free from FGM.