In Nigeria, some traditions come with a hidden cost. When elders call female genital mutilation (FGM) a rite of womanhood, it sounds sacred, only until you see the scars it leaves its victims. FGM is a practice that leaves millions of girls physically and emotionally wounded for life.
According to Public Health Nigeria, “Nigeria…has the highest number of circumcised females in the world, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115–130 million women who have either been circumcised…or whose genitals have been mutilated.”
Here are seven truths that expose the devastating toll of FGM.
1. It’s a Health Nightmare with No Benefits
There’s literally no medical upside to FGM. None. Zilch. Instead, it causes a laundry list of horrors like severe bleeding, infections and urinary problems. For some girls, it’s a death sentence because haemorrhaging or sepsis strikes fast. The girls who survive often face chronic pain that makes everyday activities a struggle. Imagine living with that, all for a “tradition” that science has debunked.
2. Childbirth Becomes a Battleground
For women who have undergone FGM, giving birth is like trying to run a marathon with weights tied to their legs. The scarring can lead to prolonged labour, increase the risk of fistulas (holes between the vagina and bladder) or even stillbirths. UNICEF notes that FGM raises maternal and infant mortality rates as mothers are likely to experience early neonatal death, postpartum haemorrhage and stillbirths. It’s not simply a cut; it’s a lifelong health thief.
3. It Steals Sexual Joy
So often, FGM severely affects a woman’s ability to enjoy intimacy. Removing such sensitive tissue can lead to painful sex or no sensation at all. For many women, this creates shame and strains relationships. That’s certainly not tradition, that’s a tragedy!
4. The Emotional Scars Run Deep
FGM isn’t just a physical issue. The trauma of being held down against one’s will, often without anaesthesia, sticks with survivors. Many go on to battle anxiety, depression or PTSD as they relive these moments of violation in their nightmares. Speaking out feels impossible in communities where FGM has been normalised, and this leaves women carrying this pain in silence for the rest of their lives.
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5. It’s a Social Trap
FGM is often seen as a ticket to marriageability or “purity” in some Nigerian communities. Girls who refuse it face ostracism or ridicule. The pressure of wanting to get married traps these girls in a cycle of conformity, where saying no feels like they’re betraying both themselves and their family.
6. It’s on a Downward Spiral, But Not Fast Enough
The good news is that FGM rates are declining, thanks to activists and laws that ban the act, but this progress is uneven. Rural areas lag behind because cultural beliefs die hard, and enforcement is not consistent. Although we’re moving, we’re not sprinting.
7. Survivors are Fighting Back
The inspiring part of all this is that Nigerian women are leading the charge. From activists to local groups, survivors are speaking out, educating communities and pushing for change. Their courage is rewriting the narrative and proving that tradition doesn’t have to mean harm.
The impact of FGM is a wake-up call. It’s not just a harmless tradition, it’s a human rights crisis that is stealing health, joy and freedom from women all over the country. Remember, change starts when we stop whispering and start shouting. Get angry, start conversations in your circle, support organisations dedicated to this cause, do what little you can and watch the change spiral.
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Queensie Ellimms
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