FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM) IN NIGERIA: A VIOLATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF GIRLS AND WOMEN AND IMPLICATION FOR COUNSELLING

Abstract

This paper titled ‘’Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria: A violation of the Human Rights of Girls/Women and Implication for Counselling” discussed among others; Theoretical framework: the theory of cultural relativism, concept of FGM, types of Female Genital Mutilation, prevalence of FGM according to countries, FGM has no health benefits, except harm, cultural and social factors for performing FGM, Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria,
Legislation Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria, Delimitations of the VAPP Act, World Health Organization (WHO)response, implication for counselling. The paper found among others; that the practice of FGM is associated with poor health outcomes and prevents girls and women from thriving and enjoying their basic human rights, that majority of FGM procedures occur with unsanitised cutting tools, and also that the fear in some cultures is that women will become sexually promiscuous or unfaithful. The paper recommends among others
The practitioners of FGM, people should do away with as it cause more harms than good to the victims African and Asians should be well educated on the side effects of FGM through seminars, workshops and some other legitimate avenues. Women and girl-child should be adequately informed of the consequential effects of FGM early enough in order not to fall victim. Sterilized instruments should be used for FGM in order to avoid transmission of diseases and sex education must be incorporated into the school curriculum.