Eradicating the Practice of Female Circumcision/ Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria within the Context of Human Rights

Abstract

This article is divided into seven segments. It examines the questions whether the practice of FC/FGM violate some of the rights of women and female children in Nigeria; or on the contrary, the prevention of the practice is a violation of the cultural right of this category of persons. In tackling these questions the article gratifyingly clears some fogs and definitional issues which might hitherto becloud the understanding of the topic; it delves into considering the human rights instruments on FC/FGM applicable in Nigeria; and the categories of and specific rights in controversy both from the arguments of the proponents and the exponents of the eradication of FC/FGM. The article points out that despite the medical implications of FC/FGM, the practice persists as it is deeply rooted by culture; and advocates for awareness-raising and education in addition to other non-penal measures to eradicate the practice in Nigeria.

Keywords:Female Circumcision/ Female Genital Mutilation, Human Rights, Women, Female Children, Non-penal Measures.