BY: JESSICA BEUKER
The Nigerian government recently took a big step forward by prohibiting the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). The practice involves removing part or all of a girl’s outer sexual organs for non-medical purposes. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s outgoing president, signed the ban into law as one of his final acts as leader. The new law, which also prohibits men from abandoning their families without economic support, is a move that campaigners are describing as “hugely important.” While the law is most definitely a step forward, it is not the means to an end. In order for FGM to be abolished entirely, it is crucial that attitudes about the practice—and in turn social norms—are changed as well.
Photo: Reuters/Siegfried Modola
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 125 million girls and women globally are living with the effects of FGM. The practice is most widespread in Africa and the Middle East, with about a quarter of Nigerian women having undergone FGM. Since Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, the decision to ban the procedure carries significant weight. Mary Wandia, FGM program manager of Equality Now, told the Guardian that because of this, the law needs to be implemented effectively. The news of the ban comes with the hope that it will carry out a domino effect in other countries where the practice is still legal and widely practiced such as Liberia, Sudan and Mali.
FGM has no health benefits and can cause many complications. Procedures may result in severe bleeding, problems urinating, cysts, infections, infertility, complications during childbirth and the loss of sexual pleasure. The procedure is typically carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and age 15.
Photo: Reuters/Siegfried Modola
According to WHO, the reasons for FGM is a mixture of cultural, religious and social factors. FGM is considered a necessary part of raising a girl properly—motivated by beliefs about what is considered “proper sexual behaviour”. FGM in many communities is believed to reduce a woman’s libido and therefore believed to help her resist “illicit” sexual acts. FGM is also associated with cultural ideals of femininity and modesty, which include the notion that girls are “clean” and “beautiful” after removal of body parts that are considered “male” or “unclean”. But most often, FGM is seen as a social convention or cultural tradition and therefore there is social pressure to conform to standards—this is how the practice is perpetuated. Social acceptance is the most frequently cited reason supporting the continuation of the practice. Uncut girls are ostracized in many communities.
The process of changing social norms involves a collective process. According to UNICEF, it involves creating exposure to new information, possible alternatives, organized diffusion and public declarations of commitment to a new social rule. There are still places where many females believe that the practice should continue; however according to UNICEF in 19 out of 29 countries, the majority of women think the practice should end.
More often than not, the behaviour of individuals regarding FGM is conditioned by the behaviour of others. This means that individuals or families who do not support the practice, feel obligated to go along with it anyways, so as not to feel ostracized. This “pluralistic ignorance” is perpetuated by a lack of communication among individuals about private beliefs. Attitudes and preferences that question social norms can be stimulated by creating access to information and discussions within communities through the use of media and social groups.
“Global experience tells us that ultimately, it’s through changing attitudes, not just laws, that we will end FGM,” Tanya Barron, chief executive of children’s charity Plan International, said to Reuters. “Prosecution must be just one strand of our efforts to end FGM worldwide. What is encouraging is that we are talking more and more about FGM, in Africa, in Europe and across the world.”
Photo: Reuters/Finbarr O’Reilly
Sources: aplus.com, ibtimes.com, cloudfront.net, africametro.com