FGM survivors share emotional toll of mutilation, call for eradication

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Some Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) survivors have described the practice as harmful and life-threatening.

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They stated that the mutilation had strained their marriages due to difficulties in forming emotional connections and experiencing feelings.

The survivors shared their stories at a two-day ‘Media Dialogue to Support Advocacy to End FGM’ in Nigeria on Thursday in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the dialogue was organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF.

Doris Akhere, a survivor, revealed that her mother told her she was mutilated just eight days old, resulting in a three-month hospitalisation due to severe bleeding.

Mrs Akhere recalled that she remained unaware of her FGM history until age 15, when a biology class featuring diagrams of female organs sparked her discovery.

According to her, the stereotype that uncircumcised girls will engage in promiscuous behaviour is baseless and should be dispelled.

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Another survivor, Rachael Odion, a 56-year-old mother, revealed that three of her five daughters were mutilated due to her lack of awareness about the dangers of FGM.

Mrs Odion noted that circumcised children frequently experience itching and are more susceptible to infections.

Grace Ogar, a survivor turned cutter, revealed she inherited the practice from her grandmother and had lost count of how many girls she had mutilated.

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Ms Ogar revealed that her past relationships failed due to her emotional numbness, leaving her hesitant to pursue another marriage.

She vividly described the cutting process, marked by heavy bleeding, intense pain, and the use of unsterilised tools like razor blades.

An FGM advocate, Ken Izah, a pastor, stated that biblical teachings do not support the practice of female genital mutilation.

Mr Izah cited Genesis 17:23, where God commanded Abraham to circumcise males, but not females.

He emphasised that FGM had no place in God’s plan and should be eradicated from communities.