FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION AS SPECIES OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: A CASE STUDY OF ABOH MBAISE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

There is no gain reemphasizing the fact that all human beings, both male and female are born equal. Yet, itseems this position is not well accepted in some geographical locations as there exist till date, some culturalpractices that tend to undermine the protection and enforcement of women’s human rights copiously enshrinedin numerous Human Rights Legislations. One of such practices is what is known as and called female genitalmutilations.1FGM is a cultural practice firmly embraced by most African societies and some third worldcountries which has no known medical relevance. It is not only a clear manifestation of gender based violence,but an act calculated to demean the women folk. This view is further buttressed by the fact that under the nativelaws and customs of Nigerian societies, including Aboh Mbaise people of Imo State, women are mythologicalconceptualized as being inferior to men and as such, subjugated under the men’s folk. This paper carefully xrayedthe practice of FGM among the female population of an Igbo clan of Aboh Mbaise. It also x-rayed thedangers associated with this practice. Adequate and appropriate recommendations were made on how toeliminate this gender based violence called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).