“LAW alone cannot end FGM!” - Okoye Robinson C.

Female Genital Cutting (also known as Female Genital Mutilation *FGM*) in Nigeria accounts for the most female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C) cases worldwide. The Female Circumcision, or FGM, is the removal or alteration of female genitalia – it varies in severity from partial removal of the clitoris to complete removal of the clitoris and adjoining labia as well as the joining of both sides of the vulva together across the vagina.

After the circumcision is complete, many experience severe bleeding, difficulty urinating, childbirth complications, infections, loss of sexual pleasure and in some cases, death.

But the supporters of this practice are justifying it on much of the same grounds that the world support male circumcision, one said:

“The uncircumcised clitoris and penis are considered homologous aesthetically and hygienically: Just as the male foreskin covers the head of the penis, the female foreskin covers the clitoral glands. Both, they argue, lead to build-up of smegma and bacteria in the layers of skin between the hood and glands. This accumulation is thought of as odorous, susceptible to infection and a nuisance to keep clean on a daily basis. Further, circumcised women point to the risks of painful clitoral adhesions that occur in girls and women who do not cleanse properly, and to the requirement of excision as a treatment for these extreme cases.”

They also point to the risk of clitoral hypertrophy or an enlarged clitoris that resembles a small penis – for these reasons, many circumcised women view the decision to circumcise their daughters as something as obvious as the decision to circumcise sons.

However, the World Health Organization has branded this practice as harmful to girls and women and a violation of human rights.

Nationally, 27% of Nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 49 are victims of FGM – in the last 30 years, prevalence of the practice has decreased by half in some parts of Nigeria.

In May 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed a Federal Law banning FGM; opponents of the practice cite this move as an important step forward in Africa, as Nigeria is the most populous country and has set an important precedent.

Though the practice has declined, activists say a cultural shift is necessary to abolish the practice, as the Law will not singularly change the wider violence against women in Nigeria. They lamented that not only is the law not being enforced, many families still believe FGM is not violent and is necessary to maintain the chastity and marriage eligibility of their daughters.

Among these Activists is Okoye Robinson C (@robinson4eva), an #ENDFGM Social Media Advocate. He is a Publisher and the Chairperson, International Youth Council-Nigeria (IYCN), Anambra State. He is part of the team of #EndCuttingGirls Nigeria” - a campaign that unites Youth Advocates and other stakeholders (Organizations, communities’, government, individuals, etc.) in an effort to end the practice of FGM/C in this generation.

He spoke with @stampougbv on salient issue concerning FGM and more. Excerpts.

@stampoutgbb: Is there any cultural or religious basis for FGM/C? There's need to know this so the advocates know how to convincingly drive their points home while sensitizing hard-core circumcisers.

@robinson4eva: It is erroneously linked to religion. It is not particular to any religious faith and predates Christianity and Islam. It has to do with culture because most people tie it to the ‘rites of passage’. In fact, it is just a social norm, which was rooted and many people have seen it as their culture without even knowing why it's done. We are trying to make them leave the harmful part and still keep their traditions. The Catholic Church in Ebonyi was very helpful in the case of Izzi.

For more information, you can check out the resources at http://www.endcuttinggirls.org  @endcuttinggirls

@stampoutgbv: Some countries have passed legislation prohibiting FGM/C - is Nigeria among? Besides, how effective are laws in reducing the practice?

@robinson4eva: Yes, Former President Goodluck Jonathan signed a Federal Law prohibiting FGM/C in May, 2015. The Law cannot do the job alone – we need to go to the remote areas and educate people about the cruelty of this practice. Laws without sensitizing the people will be catastrophic. It will make them not report cases.

@stampoutgbv: What are some of the alternative rites of passage that have been proposed in communities that practice FGM/C and what is being done to include men, religious leaders & community elders in these EFFORTS?

@robinson4eva: Rites of passages are integral parts of these cultures and many of them are beautiful.  But as it is known worldwide, cultural practices can be beneficial, neutral or harmful. So, our campaign is not to propose alternative rite of passage but removal of harmful practices.

We aren't preaching against their culture or rites of passage tradition. We are only saying that they should keep their tradition but remove FGM/C, which is harmful and a violation of the rights of these victims.

We are engaging people of influence and also, present drama, empowerment programs and orientation of the teenage girls, which will teach them on how to become a better person.

@stampoutgbv: What part has UNICEF played in this alongside your "community dialogue"?

@robinson4eva: UNICEF is doing tremendously well. They have been involving men, traditional/community leaders in the fight against FGM. The dialogue involves all leaders because they are custodian of cultures and as such, have agreed with us that there's no positive reason for FGM. In fact, religious and community leaders have been helpful and that's why there was a public declaration to abandon FGM/C by Izzi. Hence, the fight is a success.

@stampoutgbv: We believe you are aware that the practice of FGM/C is increasingly being conducted in health facilities by health providers with the idea of reducing the immediate health risks - so, what do you think about this medicalization/modernization of the practice?

@robinson4eva: This is a very important question as it is a big threat to the success of the campaign. The medicalization of FGM/C is illegal and efforts are being made to stop this. Even the Nigerian Medical association is against it. You know, the @Fmohnigeria is a partner in this joint programme – they will handle this. Very soon they will come out on a concrete plan to fight the medicalization.

@stampoutgbv: The women who are performing this practice are socially and financially rewarded. How can they be encouraged to stop the practice?

@robinson4eva: They are only asked to stop the Female Circumcision – they can still continue getting there rewards from Male Circumcision.

@stampoutgbv: Let's be clear on this - please, at what age do girls typically undergo FGM, and what are some reasons girls and women give to wholeheartedly embrace this practice?

@robinson4eva: It depends on the tribe; some undergo at eight days old while some at teen (reason for rites of passage) – some even at adulthood.

@stampoutgbv: A victim of this practice claims that the reason most women (including herself) are passive to sex today is that the 'sensitive part' of their genitals were mistakenly cut out during circumcision. Please, how true is that?

@robinson4eva: It is possible that her genitalia had been cut during the process. Depending on the type, her clitoris and the labias may have been cut. You know the clitoris is a sensitive sensual part of a woman's genitalia. When cut off, sexual satisfaction maybe difficult. This is one of the problems these victims undergo and this is why we are fighting to end FGM/C in Nigeria.