Those who apply petroleum jelly to press or massage the clitoris of female infants unknowingly engage in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), according to Public Health Consultant Dr. Chimezie Obasi, as reported by Stephen Ukandu in Umuahia.
Meanwhile, UNICEF has raised concerns over the high prevalence of FGM/C in Nigeria’s Southeast, particularly in Imo and Ebonyi, which have the highest rates in the region.
Speaking at a UNICEF-organized media dialogue in Enugu, held in collaboration with the Broadcast Corporation of Abia (BCA) as part of activities marking this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM/C, Dr. Obasi stressed that any form of clitoral modification holds no medical benefits and should be discouraged.
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, the public health expert lamented that some mothers continue the practice due to misinformation.
“FGM/C offers no health benefits and constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental rights of girls and women,” he stated.
Further emphasizing his point, he argued that circumcision was only recommended for males, not females, asserting that if it had any health advantages, an all-knowing God would have included females in the directive.
Dr. Obasi urged parents to refrain from altering the clitoris of their female children, insisting that it should be left as nature intended.
UNICEF, meanwhile, revealed that managing FGM/C-related complications costs the world approximately $1.4 billion annually. These complications include excessive bleeding, infections, urinary issues, sexual dysfunction, severe and chronic pain, menstrual irregularities, childbirth complications, surgical risks, depression, anxiety, and emotional trauma.
According to UNICEF, more than 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM/C.
“FGM/C involves deliberate procedures that alter or harm female genital organs for non-medical purposes. It is universally recognized as a human rights violation,” Dr. Obasi added.
He dismissed the various justifications given by FGM/C practitioners, stating that none are supported by medical evidence.
Dr. Obasi called for greater media involvement in educating the public about the dangers of the practice.
UNICEF Enugu Field Office Chief, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, expressed disappointment over the continued prevalence of FGM/C in the Southeast despite persistent advocacy against it.
Identifying Imo and Ebonyi as the most affected states, she urged intensified efforts to eliminate the harmful practice.
“We still have unacceptable prevalence rates across the Southeast, with Imo State ranking highest at 38% among women aged 15-49 and 9.7% among girls aged 0-14. Similarly, prevalence among women aged 15-49 stands at 20.4% in Ebonyi, 20.3% in Abia, 19% in Enugu, and 13.1% in Anambra. Among girls aged 0-14, prevalence rates are 3.7% in Enugu, 3.0% in Abia, 2.1% in Anambra, and 0.29% in Ebonyi (MICS 2021),” she stated.
Earlier, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, Communications Officer for UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office, called on the media to play a more active role in the fight against FGM/C.
She urged journalists and broadcasters to use their platforms to educate the public on the dangers of this harmful and outdated practice.
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