TFD and Community Education on Female Genital Mutilation in Igede Land of Benue State: Ugengen Community Experience

Abstract

In many Nigerian localities, there are cultural archetypes that favour males more than females and this is based on their belief systems. Most of these belief systems are practised against females. In the Igede belief system, female genital mutilation is practised to preserve family honour, protect female virginity, prevent promiscuity, increase sexual pleasure for husbands and also, enhance female fertility. Though medical reports reveal that female genital mutilation is detrimental to women and has medical, social and psychological complications the practice is still in vogue. Since healthy living is not the responsibility of only the medical personnel but that of everybody, this paper explores the utilization of Theatre for Development approach to combat high female genital mutilation in Ugengen community of Igede land in Benue State. The findings confirmed that, the victims have complications such as severe bleeding, urinary retention, urinary tract infections, pelvic and back pains, as well as prolonged delivery labour. Through people's involvement and participation in the workshop process, they are made to realize that female genital mutilation is a problem to their community. The people therefore adopted measures to combat the trend in the community.