Female Genital Mutilation: Nigerian State Clamps 5-Year Jail, N.5m On Offenders

The Nigerian State of Ebonyi has come down hard on offenders of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), with a five years imprisonment or fine of N500,000, or both.
Thus anyone convicted of aiding the act would be commuted to three to five years in prison,  with an option of N300,000 to N500,000 or both. 

This was disclosed on Wednesday by Dr. Emmanuel Abah, Ebonyi State Director,  National Orientation Agency (NOA),  on the occasion of advocacy dialogue with traditional leaders on support for the elimination of FGM/,  end violence against women and children, birth registration,  as well as containment of COVID-19. 

The event was organized at Ishielu and Ivo local government areas of  Ebonyi State by NOA with support from UNICEF.
Abah explained that Ebonyi State Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) laws spell out, among others:
“If you perform or assist someone to perform FGM/C you can be sent to prison for 3- 5 years or pay a fine of  N300,000 to N500,000.
“If you incite, aid, abet, or counsel another person to perform FGM/C, you can be sent to prison for 1- 2 years of pay a fine of 200,000 to 300,000.”

Mr. Victor Atuchukwu, Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, represented by  Mr. Benjamin Mbakwem,  expressed delight for being part of the program,  explaining that the practice of FGM was an act of violence against children in the state.

He explained that the essence of the advocacy dialogue was to x-ray the health implications of some harmful practices against the girl-child and provide ways of securing their overall well-being. 
He stressed the need for all hands to be on deck towards the elimination of FGM/C in the State.
“Harmful cultural practices violate human rights and negatively affect the physical, mental, spiritual, and well being of the individual. 
“These practices include the inscription of tribal marks, widow inheritance, early marriage, preference for sons over daughters, forced marriage, nutritional taboos focusing on pregnant women, girl and infant, among others.

“Factors reinforcing culture and tradition are ignorance, lack of information, traditional myths, tradition of silence, religious misinterpretation, social pressure, gender inequality, fear of being cast out, community enforcement mechanism.
“FGM leads to VVF, the transmission of diseases, infection, low self-esteem, prolonged labour, infection, uncontrollably bleeding that may lead to death, among others.”