Socio-Cultural Issues and Consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Practices in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Violence against women remains a significant problem in all societies and female genital mutilation is one of the most severe manifestations. Female genital mutilation is a harmful traditional practice and a form of violence that directly infringes upon women’s and girls’ rights to physical, psychological and social health. Female genital mutilation is the procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is on this note that the study examined the socio-cultural issues and consequences of female genital mutilation in South-East Nigeria. The theoretical frameworks for the study are radical feminist theory and social convention theory. The mixed methods research design involving a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaire while the qualitative data were gathered through in-depth-interview. The purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. A sample of 1,037 respondents participated in the quantitative aspect of the study while twenty-four interviews were conducted to generate the qualitative data. The quantitative data were processed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) and was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that FGM is still practiced in South-East Nigeria even though the extent of its practice is diminishing compared to what it was in the past. The major reason in the continued practice of FGM in the South-East Nigeria is that FGM reduces women’s sexual urge and keeps them faithful in marriage. It was found that FGM practice was culturally sustained in South-East Nigeria by the belief that it purifies women. Secondly, FGM is a part of initiation into womanhood. Thirdly, men express strong preference for women with FGM than women without FGM. Fourthly, lack of awareness of health problems associated with FGM and the need for social acceptability. Finally, it was found that FGM could be eradicated in the study area through education, awareness creation and government sanctions. It was therefore recommended that local government authorities and community leaders should come together in agreement to offer solution; a concerted effort is needed.