What is Female Genital Mutilation(FGM)?
Female Genital Mutilation or female Circumcision is a universally accepted term that describes the
excision of all or portions of the Female genitals using a blade, a knife or any sharp object.
Types of FGM
There are basically four types of FGM:
Type I:
Type I is the excision (removal) of the clitoral hood with or without removal of all or part of the clitoris.
Type II:
Type II is the excision (removal) of the clitoris together with part or all of the labia minora (the inner
vaginal lips).
Type III:
Type III is the excision (removal) of part or all of the external genitalia(clitoris, labia minora and labia
majora) and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening, leaving a very small opening, about the size of
a matchstick, to allow for the flow of urine and menstrual blood. The girl or woman’s legs are generally
bound together from the hip to the ankle so she remains immobile for approximately 40 days to allow for
the formation of scar tissue.
Type IV:
Type IV includes the introduction of corrosive substances into the vagina. This form is practiced to a
much lesser extent than the other forms in Nigeria.
Status of FGM in Nigeria
There is a dearth of researches on FGM because of the sensitive nature of this practice. Nigeria has 36
states and a study by the Nigerian Center for Gender, Health and Human Rights (NCGHHR) shows the
prevalence of FGM with research data that was collected over 2001 and 2002.
The following shows the following state-by-state results:
There is a dearth of researches on FGM because of the sensitive nature of this practice. Nigeria has 36
states and a study by the Nigerian Center for Gender, Health and Human Rights (NCGHHR) shows the
prevalence of FGM with research data that was collected over 2001 and 2002.
It shows the following state-by-state results:
Abia (70 per cent), Adamawa (72 per cent), Akwa Ibom (65 per cent), Anambra (60 per cent), Bauchi
(55 per cent), Benue (95 per cent), Borno (87 per cent), Cross River (60 per cent), Delta (90 per cent),
Edo (40 per cent), Enugu (45 per cent), Imo (40-50 per cent, Type II), Jigawa (60-70 per cent, Type
IV), Kaduna (50-70 per cent, Type IV), Kebbi (100 per cent), Kogi (25 per cent), Katsina (95 per cent),
Kano (80 per cent), Kwara (60 per cent) Lagos (30 per cent), Niger (40 per cent), Ogun (35 per cent),
Ondo (98 per cent), Osun (80-90 per cent), Oyo (68 per cent), Plateau (58 percent), Rivers (70 per
cent), Sokoto (32 per cent),Taraba (5 per cent) ,Yobe (20 per cent), Abuja (7 per cent).
Legal Status
There is no federal law banning FGM/FGC in Nigeria. Opponents of this practice rely on Section 34(1)
(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that states, "no person shall be subjected
to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment," as the basis for banning the practice nationwide.
What can we do?
What I learnt from the exhibition is that the critical path to freeing women, especially from developing
nations, is through financial independence attained by job training and self-sufficiency programs.
This is on the premise that when a woman can afford to pay her bills, she can afford to dictate what she
wants done to her body and mind. The saying that “Ye who pays the Piper dictates the tune” holds true
for the Nigerian society where the man is mostly the breadwinner.
Our second level of the FGM campaign (the first level being the Art exhibition as a way of creating
awareness and a platform for advocating laws) is calling for International Action to equip Nigerian
women and girls with economic self- sufficiency. We would like to partner with organizations and
individuals that can provide ideas, schemes and grants towards attaining self- sufficiency.
Through the establishment of micro credit scheme. The micro credit scheme is being developed to take
off soon. Please check back periodically for progress on the micro credit programs.
It is important to approach controversial issues such as FGM, which is rooted in tradition and religion,
with tact to avoid damaging confrontations from custodians of tradition and religion.
About the painting…..This is a painting submitted by Helen, depicting her sister’s suicide attempt due to the trauma
from FGM
Why do we practice Female Genital Mutilation or circumcision?
The reasons for the practice are almost as myriad as there are people on the face of the earth.
However the commonly adduced reasons are:
1. The clitoris is unhealthy and should be cut off
2. The clitoris if allowed to grow would be in competition with the man’s penis
3. The gods told us from the beginning of time that women should have their genitals removed leaving
only the vaginal opening to curb sexual arousal and consequently promiscuity.
4. When a child’s head touches the clitoris during childbirth, that child would die.
5. An uncircumcised women is an unclean woman and therefore a taboo.
SEE THE EXHIBITION CATALOG PLEASE CLICK here
Future Project – Small business Ownership or micro credit scheme
WICSA’s ultimate goal is to combat poverty on a global level working with clients one at a time. Poverty
is multi dimensional in nature especially across geographical regions. For the African market and other
developing world, poverty is described by the United Nations (2008, Millennium Development Goals) as
those living under $1.00 or less a day. Whatever the parameter for defining poverty, WICSA is poised to
work with any woman who desires to improve her existing small business or own one.
WICSA looks at poverty from the lack of economic resources standpoint; therefore our efforts would be
geared towards economic empowerment by offering training workshops as well as micro credit loans to
low incomes women, existing female small business owners and prospective ones.
Female Genital Mutilation or female Circumcision is a universally accepted term that describes the
excision of all or portions of the Female genitals using a blade, a knife or any sharp object.
Types of FGM
There are basically four types of FGM:
Type I:
Type I is the excision (removal) of the clitoral hood with or without removal of all or part of the clitoris.
Type II:
Type II is the excision (removal) of the clitoris together with part or all of the labia minora (the inner
vaginal lips).
Type III:
Type III is the excision (removal) of part or all of the external genitalia(clitoris, labia minora and labia
majora) and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening, leaving a very small opening, about the size of
a matchstick, to allow for the flow of urine and menstrual blood. The girl or woman’s legs are generally
bound together from the hip to the ankle so she remains immobile for approximately 40 days to allow for
the formation of scar tissue.
Type IV:
Type IV includes the introduction of corrosive substances into the vagina. This form is practiced to a
much lesser extent than the other forms in Nigeria.
Status of FGM in Nigeria
There is a dearth of researches on FGM because of the sensitive nature of this practice. Nigeria has 36
states and a study by the Nigerian Center for Gender, Health and Human Rights (NCGHHR) shows the
prevalence of FGM with research data that was collected over 2001 and 2002.
The following shows the following state-by-state results:
There is a dearth of researches on FGM because of the sensitive nature of this practice. Nigeria has 36
states and a study by the Nigerian Center for Gender, Health and Human Rights (NCGHHR) shows the
prevalence of FGM with research data that was collected over 2001 and 2002.
It shows the following state-by-state results:
Abia (70 per cent), Adamawa (72 per cent), Akwa Ibom (65 per cent), Anambra (60 per cent), Bauchi
(55 per cent), Benue (95 per cent), Borno (87 per cent), Cross River (60 per cent), Delta (90 per cent),
Edo (40 per cent), Enugu (45 per cent), Imo (40-50 per cent, Type II), Jigawa (60-70 per cent, Type
IV), Kaduna (50-70 per cent, Type IV), Kebbi (100 per cent), Kogi (25 per cent), Katsina (95 per cent),
Kano (80 per cent), Kwara (60 per cent) Lagos (30 per cent), Niger (40 per cent), Ogun (35 per cent),
Ondo (98 per cent), Osun (80-90 per cent), Oyo (68 per cent), Plateau (58 percent), Rivers (70 per
cent), Sokoto (32 per cent),Taraba (5 per cent) ,Yobe (20 per cent), Abuja (7 per cent).
Legal Status
There is no federal law banning FGM/FGC in Nigeria. Opponents of this practice rely on Section 34(1)
(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that states, "no person shall be subjected
to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment," as the basis for banning the practice nationwide.
What can we do?
What I learnt from the exhibition is that the critical path to freeing women, especially from developing
nations, is through financial independence attained by job training and self-sufficiency programs.
This is on the premise that when a woman can afford to pay her bills, she can afford to dictate what she
wants done to her body and mind. The saying that “Ye who pays the Piper dictates the tune” holds true
for the Nigerian society where the man is mostly the breadwinner.
Our second level of the FGM campaign (the first level being the Art exhibition as a way of creating
awareness and a platform for advocating laws) is calling for International Action to equip Nigerian
women and girls with economic self- sufficiency. We would like to partner with organizations and
individuals that can provide ideas, schemes and grants towards attaining self- sufficiency.
Through the establishment of micro credit scheme. The micro credit scheme is being developed to take
off soon. Please check back periodically for progress on the micro credit programs.
It is important to approach controversial issues such as FGM, which is rooted in tradition and religion,
with tact to avoid damaging confrontations from custodians of tradition and religion.
About the painting…..This is a painting submitted by Helen, depicting her sister’s suicide attempt due to the trauma
from FGM
Why do we practice Female Genital Mutilation or circumcision?
The reasons for the practice are almost as myriad as there are people on the face of the earth.
However the commonly adduced reasons are:
1. The clitoris is unhealthy and should be cut off
2. The clitoris if allowed to grow would be in competition with the man’s penis
3. The gods told us from the beginning of time that women should have their genitals removed leaving
only the vaginal opening to curb sexual arousal and consequently promiscuity.
4. When a child’s head touches the clitoris during childbirth, that child would die.
5. An uncircumcised women is an unclean woman and therefore a taboo.
SEE THE EXHIBITION CATALOG PLEASE CLICK here
Future Project – Small business Ownership or micro credit scheme
WICSA’s ultimate goal is to combat poverty on a global level working with clients one at a time. Poverty
is multi dimensional in nature especially across geographical regions. For the African market and other
developing world, poverty is described by the United Nations (2008, Millennium Development Goals) as
those living under $1.00 or less a day. Whatever the parameter for defining poverty, WICSA is poised to
work with any woman who desires to improve her existing small business or own one.
WICSA looks at poverty from the lack of economic resources standpoint; therefore our efforts would be
geared towards economic empowerment by offering training workshops as well as micro credit loans to
low incomes women, existing female small business owners and prospective ones.
Women Issues Communication Services Agency
... empowering women to succeed
... empowering women to succeed
The Unfulfilled
by Helen Idehen
Distorted Tracks
by
Sam Ovraiti
by
Sam Ovraiti
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