FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
More than 125 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) across countries in Africa and the Middle East where this specific form of violence against women is concentrated.
In many cultures, FGM is a recognised and accepted practice that is considered important for the socialisation of women, curbing their sexual appetites and preparing them for marriage. This practice is considered part of a ritual initiation into womanhood that includes a period of seclusion and education about the rights and duties of a wife. Despite its cultural importance, FGM has drawn considerable criticism because of the potential for both short- and long-term medical complications, as well as harm to reproductive health and infringement on women’s rights (Toubia, 1995).
In Nigeria, more than 7 in 10 women and men age 30-49 have heard of the practice. Of those who of heard of the practice, 68 percent of women and 57 percent of men who have heard of female circumcision believe that the practice is not required. Changing people’s altitude on the practice of FGM is key to reducing its prevalence, and totally eradicating the practice.
Prevalence tends to be lower among younger women, indicating a decline in this harmful practice. However, it remains commonplace in a number of these countries, with overall prevalence rates of over 80 per cent.
States were ranked by interventions in changing people’s altitude and reducing its prevalence. The state with the best interventions in 2018 is ranked 1, and the worst ranked 37.