Law as An Agent of Social Change: A Case Study of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria (2022)
This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Udowoima M. and Ukpo Q.
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: In Nigeria,the practice of female genital mutilation continues to hold sway in some parts of the country. This begs the question: whether there is no existing legislation that prohibits,and to go a step further,criminalizes its practice?
Study Population: N/A
Findings: In Nigeria,the practice of female genital mutilation continues to hold sway in some parts of the country. This begs the question: whether there is no existing legislation that prohibits,and to go a step further,criminalizes its practice? To answer this pressing question,it is submitted that the present issue is not the lack of extant laws on the subject matter. Rather,the issue is anchored round the lack of effective enforcement,and efficient monitoring mechanisms. Since the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP),in 2015 ,there has been no identified prosecutions. Again,having a strong enforcement mechanism is important. However,without accompanying efforts to promote social change by changing values,enforcement is unlikely to yield positive efforts. A Female Genital Mutilation-Free society is achievable. It has been realized in Egypt and other
African countries. The major hurdle to overcome is the problem of enforcing the existing laws.
Once the problem of enforcement is resolved,FGM would be a story of the past.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Africa
Country(ies):Nigeria