Posted by According to Ulla Mueller, UNFPA’s Representative in Nigeria, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) violates the human rights of young girls and must be stopped.
The crime has been commonplace in many areas, Mueller told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, but particularly in the South-East, South-South, and South-West.
The term “FGM” is used to describe any practice that involves the non-therapeutic removal of all or part of a woman’s external genitalia.
Some have argued that the practice is rooted in cultural misunderstanding and ignorance.
According to Mueller, who called the practice “the epitome of gender discrimination,” the norm could make it difficult for women to reach their full potential.
To paraphrase what she had to say: “FGM is a violation of girls’ and women’s human right to choices; it can affect the vision and dreams for a greater future.”
The number of girls and women who have had female genital mutilation is believed to be around 200 million worldwide.
Between 2015 and 2030, the UNFPA predicts that 68 million girls worldwide will be subjected to female genital mutilation.