Mary Ugwu, a Senior Nurse at the Light of God Hospital, Enugu, has called for stiff sanctions against perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.

 

Ugwu made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday. She recommended stiff sanctions to protect victims against the hazards of FGM in the communities where the harmful traditional practice is still subsisting. “Genital cutting is dangerous. If the clitoral artery or other blood vessel is cut during the process, the child involved can bleed to death or can be infected,” she said.

 

According to her, the body of the victim is susceptible to infections after the use of a contaminated instrument in the possession of the perpetrators of FGM. 

Ugwu pointed out that FGM consisted of removing highly-sensitive genital tissue, especially the clitoris, saying the practice lacked any health benefit.

 

She explained that the FGM could affect sexual sensitivity and as well lead to sexual problems such as decreased sexual desire, pleasure during penetration and decreased lubrication during intercourse, among others.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

 

According to WHO, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is concentrated. WHO states that the practice is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15, noting that FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.