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On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the Association of Women Lawyers of Africa (AWLA), Abuja Chapter, stands in solidarity with advocates across Nigeria and the global community to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in all its forms.
Female Genital Mutilation, sometimes misleadingly described as “female circumcision,” remains a deeply harmful traditional practice that continues to endanger the lives, health, and dignity of women and girls. While cultural heritage and traditions deserve respect, no custom or belief can justify practices that cause physical harm, psychological trauma, or violate fundamental human rights.
The 2026 global theme, “Towards 2030: No End to FGM without Sustained Commitment and Investment,” underscores a vital truth: the elimination of FGM demands consistent action, long-term commitment, and deliberate investment in education, advocacy, community engagement, and legal enforcement. Ending FGM is not the task of one organization alone—it requires collective responsibility.
AWLA Abuja calls on parents, guardians, community leaders, religious and traditional institutions, healthcare professionals, educators, and policy makers to actively reject Female Genital Mutilation and to protect girls from this practice. Silence enables abuse; informed action prevents it.
Across Nigeria, the law is clear. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) and corresponding state laws criminalise Female Genital Mutilation, including any attempt to carry out the act, regardless of how minimal it may appear. Perpetrators and those who aid, abet, or conceal such acts are liable to punishment under the law. These legal provisions exist to safeguard the bodily integrity, dignity, and fundamental rights of women and girls.
FGM has no medical or health benefit. It is associated with severe pain, infections, long-term health complications, emotional trauma, and, in some cases, life-threatening consequences. It robs girls of their right to bodily autonomy and exposes them to preventable suffering.
AWLA Abuja urges members of the public to be law-abiding citizens and champions of child protection. Do not promote, justify, or shield harmful practices under the guise of culture or tradition. If you suspect that a child or woman is at risk of being subjected to FGM, speak up promptly and report to the appropriate authorities or child protection and legal support organisations.
As an association committed to justice, gender equality, and the protection of vulnerable persons, AWLA Abuja Chapter will continue to engage in advocacy, legal awareness, community sensitisation, and strategic partnerships aimed at ending Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria.
Signed
Mrs Oluwatoyin Aladegbami LL.B, LL.M, PhD
Coordinator, AWLA Abuja Chapter
