When Amina was nine years old, she was told she was about to “become a woman.” What followed was pain, confusion, and silence, a silence that lasted for years.
In her community, female genital mutilation (FGM) was seen as a rite of passage, a way to preserve “purity” and tradition. No one talked about the trauma. No one mentioned that it was against the law.

But the truth is clear, and powerful.

The Law Speaks for Every Girl

Under Section 6 (1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, “the circumcision or genital mutilation of the girl child or woman is hereby prohibited.”

This single line of law gives voice to thousands like Amina. It says that no one, not a parent, guardian, health worker, or traditional practitioner has the right to harm a girl under the guise of tradition. The VAPP Act makes such acts a crime, punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or both.

It is not merely a policy. It is a promise to girls in Nigeria who deserve safety, dignity, and the freedom to grow without fear or pain.

Beyond the Law: Building Change from Within

Yet, laws don’t speak unless people make them heard. That’s where CHESIDS comes in.

Every day, CHESIDS works with communities to ensure that the words of the VAPP Act translate into real protection and empowerment.
We:

• Support survivors like Amina to heal, speak out, and lead change, ensuring they are never silenced again.
• Organise community dialogues and sensitization campaigns that challenge the myths surrounding FGM and replace them with knowledge and empathy.

Train peer educators and youth advocates, empowering young people to lead the movement to end FGM once and for all.

A Movement Rooted in Courage

Ending FGM isn’t just about punishment; it’s about breaking generations of silence. It is about mothers choosing safety over fear, fathers standing up for their daughters and communities realizing that tradition should never wound but should nurture.

Every time a survivor speaks, every time a law is enforced, and every time a young person says “no more,” Nigeria moves one step closer to ending FGM.

At CHESIDS, we stand with survivors, lawmakers, and community leaders to make sure Amina’s story is never repeated. Because the cycle of pain must end, and it ends with us.

Click here for more information about the VAPP Act 2015.

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