CHRICED Renews Pledge To Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation In Nigeria, Africa

Abuja, Nigeria – The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ending female genital mutilation (FGM), a harmful practice that is still prevalent in Nigeria and across the African continent.

CHRICED condemned female genital mutilation (FGM) as a grave human rights violation that causes severe physical and psychological harm to countless women and girls, in a statement released on Wednesday in honour of International Day of Zero Tolerance.

The organisation emphasised the long-term consequences of FGM, such as health complications, emotional trauma, and social stigmatisation, which severely limit victims’ ability to live fulfilling lives.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s commitment to international standards and the passage of progressive legislation such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, which criminalises FGM on minors, CHRICED expressed concern about ongoing issues.

According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, approximately 20% of women aged 15-49 have undergone FGM, ranking Nigeria third in the world for the number of affected women and girls, according to UNICEF.

The statement emphasised that the practice is deeply rooted in tradition in some areas, leaving many young girls vulnerable. The scale of the problem in Africa is staggering, with more than 200 million women and girls affected and nearly 3 million girls at risk each year.

CHRICED described the serious health consequences of FGM, which ranged from immediate complications like severe bleeding and infection to long-term issues like complications during childbirth, fistula, sexual dysfunction, and an increased risk of HIV transmission.

To eradicate FGM, the organisation stressed the importance of a multifaceted approach that includes education, community engagement, and women’s empowerment.

CHRICED emphasised its collaborative efforts with government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and community leaders to promote change, citing examples of communities rejecting the practice and traditional leaders implementing alternative rites of passage.

The statement ended with a strong call to action, urging all stakeholders, including policymakers, community leaders, healthcare professionals, and citizens, to join the fight against FGM.

CHRICED specifically requested that the National and State Houses of Assembly strengthen the implementation and enforcement of existing laws, as well as adopt new legal frameworks as needed, in accordance with the National Action Plan Against Female Genital Mutilation 2021-2025.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding outreach, deepening community engagement, and supporting survivors, with the goal of creating a future in which every woman and girl is safe and empowered, free from the threat of FGM.