Female

  The Center for Health, Ethics, Law and Development has reiterated that female genital mutilation has no medical benefit and constitutes a serious violation of human rights, urging stronger enforcement of laws banning the practice in Nigeria. In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation condemned recent public remarks seen as endorsing the practice, warning that such narratives could undermine years of progress in the fight against gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. The Center for Health, Ethics, Law and Development has reiterated that female genital mutilation has no medical benefit and constitutes a serious violation of human rights, urging stronger enforcement of laws banning the practice in Nigeria. In a statement issued on Monday, the organisation condemned recent public remarks seen as endorsing the practice, warning that such narratives could undermine years of progress in the fight against gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. CHELD described Female genital mutilation as a globally recognised form of violence against women and girls, stressing that it carries severe health risks, including chronic pain, infections, childbirth complications, psychological trauma, and in some cases, death. The organisation emphasised that there is no medical justification for the practice, saying any claims suggesting otherwise are not supported by scientific or medical evidence. “FGM has no medical benefit and remains a violation of fundamental human rights. It exposes women and girls to lifelong physical and psychological harm,” CHELD stated. The group also pointed to Nigeria’s legal framework, noting that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 criminalises FGM, with penalties for anyone who performs, assists, or encourages the act. It added that several states across the country have also enacted laws banning the practice.