CHESIDS Quarterly Newsletter
Millions of young girls and women in Nigeria face the devastating consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). “The country has one of the highest rates of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) worldwide, with around 19.9 million survivors.” FGM, a harmful practice mainly performed on girls as infants and up to 15 years, leaves deep scars on both body and mind, which include infections, severe bleeding, depression, and obstetric complications while taking away bodily autonomy. “In 2012, 27% of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 had experienced FGM.” While some progress was made—FGM rates halved in certain areas over the past 30