Now more than ever especially on the International Day of Elimination of female genital mutilation, we at Plan International stand with others with shared values to eliminate FGM and protect the rights, dignity, and future of every girl. We remain committed to standing with girls and young women to protect their dignity and raise awareness of the devastating impact of this practice.
Plan International Nigeria, as a girls’ rights organisation, is dedicated to ensuring that every girl can learn, lead, decide, and thrive in a world free from discrimination and
harm. In Nigeria, where over 20 million girls have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—accounting for nearly 10% of global cases—the urgency to act cannot be overstated. FGM is a grave human rights violation, affecting at least 200 million girls worldwide. As an organisation, we recognise the critical need to align efforts toward ending this harmful practice.
Our stand is as follows:
We firmly assert that FGM is a violation of girls’ rights in Nigeria. Our position aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
Plan International Nigeria strongly opposes the medicalisation of FGM, as performing the act in a medical setting does not justify or reduce its harm. FGM, in any form, remains a violation of human rights.
Plan International Nigeria advocates for comprehensive psychosocial and economic support for survivors of FGM to help them rebuild their lives and regain their dignity.
Plan International Nigeria calls for institutional strengthening and increasing support for agencies and organisations responsible for implementing laws and policies to end FGM effectively.
Ending Female Genital Mutilation requires collective action, stronger policies, and sustained advocacy. We urge governments, civil society, communities, and individuals to join us in taking bold steps toward eliminating this harmful practice.
Governments at all levels must fully implement and enforce existing laws that prohibit FGM, including the VAPP Act and the Child Rights Act.
States that have not yet domesticated these laws must do so without delay. Clear legal provisions should be established to criminalise the failure to report FGM cases. While providing holistic support systems be established to provide psychosocial counselling, medical care, and economic empowerment for survivors. Governments and organisations must invest in community-led survivor support programs to aid healing and reintegration. Further, there should be increased funding and capacity-building for law enforcement, social welfare, and civil society organisations working to end FGM. Strengthen data collection and research to monitor trends, track progress, and inform policy responses.
The medical community rejects the practice of FGM in any form. Health professionals who engage in FGM should face strict legal consequences. National health
policies must explicitly prohibit medicalised FGM and strengthen ethical guidelines against.
Traditional and religious leaders as allies in shifting cultural narratives around FGM. Grassroots awareness campaigns should be expanded to educate families and communities on the dangers of FGM. We also call for the Voices of youths and girls to be amplified in advocacy efforts to drive intergenerational change.
The Nigerian government is to collaborate with the African Union, ECOWAS, and international human rights bodies to sustain momentum toward ending FGM. Cross-border efforts must be intensified to tackle FGM in border communities where the practice persists despite national bans.
Additionally, strengthening institutional capacity, increasing funding for grassroots initiatives, and ensuring psychosocial and economic support for survivors must
be at the heart of these efforts.
The medical community rejects the practice of FGM in any form. Health professionals who engage in FGM should face strict legal consequences. National health policies must explicitly prohibit medicalised FGM and strengthen ethical guidelines against.
Traditional and religious leaders as allies in shifting cultural narratives around FGM. Grassroots awareness campaigns should be expanded to educate families and communities on the dangers of FGM. We also call for the Voices of youths and girls to be amplified in advocacy efforts to drive intergenerational change.
The Nigerian government is to collaborate with the African Union, ECOWAS, and international human rights bodies to sustain momentum toward ending FGM. Cross-border efforts must be intensified to tackle FGM in border communities where the practice persists despite national bans.
CONCLUSION
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a significant human rights violation, deeply rooted in cultural and social norms that continue to undermine the dignity, health, and opportunities of girls and women in Nigeria.
While progress has been made through legal frameworks, advocacy efforts, and increasing awareness, the persistence of this harmful practice signals the urgent need for a shift from commitment to concrete action.
To achieve the global target of eliminating FGM by 2030, stakeholders must move beyond policy declarations and invest in stronger enforcement mechanisms, community-driven interventions, and survivor-centred support systems. The rise of medicalised FGM further complicates progress, necessitating stricter regulations and ethical accountability within the healthcare sector.
Ending FGM is not just a legal or health imperative—it is a fundamental issue of gender equality and human rights. Governments, civil society, community leaders, and young people must work collaboratively to dismantle harmful traditions, empower survivors, and create a future where every girl can live free from violence and discrimination.
The time for promises has passed—now is the moment for bold, sustained action to protect the next generation and accelerate efforts to end FGM by2030. We must act now!
