Despite progress, FGM remains prevalent in Nigeria, violating the rights of women and girls. A 2023 report by the Spotlight Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls states that FGM affects 8% of girls aged 0–14 in Nigeria, highlighting the need for continued action.

FGM persists in southeastern and south-south states like Imo, Ebonyi, Ogun, and Osun. In Cross River, it continues in secrecy. Northern regions, including Fulani, Hausa, Kanuri, and Tiv communities, report lower cases. However, Nigeria remains burdened by FGM due to deep-rooted traditions.

Ongoing Efforts to Combat FGM

The Community Welfare and Social Initiative (CWSI)  has led efforts to eliminate FGM in Nigeria. Over the past three years, CWSI has implemented projects funded by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), such as “Ending FGM/Cutting and Early Marriage,” which successfully influenced communities in Ebonyi and Cross River to abandon the practice. The Ekajuk Kingdom in Ogoja even enacted customary laws banning FGM.

While CWSI no longer runs an exclusive FGM project, it integrates anti-FGM campaigns into broader programs addressing gender-based violence, human trafficking, and human rights. The inclusion of FGM bans in the customary laws of Obanliku is a testament to this effort. CWSI is also training community advocates to sustain change.

Key Lessons Learned

Through years of engagement and advocacy CWSI has gained valuable insights into the fight against FGM. Their experiences  working in and through communities  has shown them that: 

1. Engaging communities fosters acceptance and abandonment of FGM.
2. Customary laws help regulate behavior and sustain change.
3. Empowering women and girls strengthens advocacy efforts.
4. Successful interventions must be scaled and replicated.

Accelerating Efforts to End FGM

To accelerate progress, CWSI emphasizes:

• Community education on FGM’s harmful effects
• Policy reforms with support from older generations
• Grassroots funding for women-led organizations
• Alternative rites of passage to replace FGM

The fight against FGM continues, but progress made by organizations like CWSI offers hope. By amplifying survivors’ voices, empowering communities, and advocating policy changes, we can work toward a future free from FGM. Let’s renew our commitment to ending this practice.

Sources:

• UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org 
• Spotlight Initiative: https://www.spotlightinitiative.org

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The contents of this article are from Community Welfare and Social Initiative (CWSI) , an AWDF grantee partner in Nigeria supported under the Leading from South initiative.