UN warns against female genital mutilation
The Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Nigeria, Ulla Mueller, has warned against Female Genital Mutilation, adding that the practice is a violation of the human rights of girl children.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Mueller made this warning in Abuja on Sunday, explaining that the act had been practised in many communities, especially the South-East, South-South and South-West.
FGM described it as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
Reports revealed that experts have argued it is basically caused by ignorance and misrepresentation of culture.
Mueller, who regarded the practice as the height of gender discrimination said that such harmful practice could stifle women’s potential to live life to the fullest.
According to her, “FGM is a violation of girls’ and women’s human right to choices; it can affect the vision and dreams for a greater future.”
It is estimated that some 200 million girls and women globally have undergone some form of female genital mutilation.
UNFPA estimates that 68 million girls are at risk of being mutilated between 2015 and 2030 globally.
