UNFPA: FGM is a grave rights violation — it must stop in Nigeria

Ulla Mueller, country representative of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nigeria, says female genital mutilation (FGM) must come to an end.

FGM refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

Mueller described the practice, which is prevalent in some parts of the country, as a “grave human rights violation”.

The UNFPA country representative spoke on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mueller said FGM is practiced in many communities in the south-east, south-south and south-west.

She said genital mutilation could stifle women’s potential to live life to the fullest.

The UNFPA official said: “FGM is a violation of girls and women’s human right to choices; it can affect the vision and dreams for greater future.”

It is estimated that 200 million girls and women globally have undergone some form of female genital mutilation.

According to UNFPA, 68 million girls globally are at risk of being mutilated between 2015 and 2030.