Intercultural beliefs and the practice of female genital mutilation in Kaduna and Ekiti States

Abstract

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is deeply rooted in a socio-cultural belief that forces women to undergo the live threatening practice of mutilating/cutting a females genital. Till today, virginity is perceived as an indicator of veneration for girls and parents, also culturally there is an erroneous dogma that female genital cutting can lessen promiscuity among females. This study examined intercultural beliefs and practices of FGM in Kaduna State and Ekiti State which is a representation of the Northern and South-western, Nigeria respectively. The study was carried out on 400 selected respondents in totality, 200 respondents in each of the study state. Data were collected through structured questionnaires More so, multistage sampling technique was used in selecting participants. The findings revealed that majority(87%) in Kaduna and 97% in Ekiti have heard of FGM. 75% believed that FGM practice is not against the law while in Kaduna the result shows a high level of confusion as to whether it was a gainst the law. Majority(91%) in Ekiti endorsed the practice of FGM while in Kaduna majority(74%) object to the practice. The main reason for supporting or not in both states were principally sexual and cultural. The practice of FGM in Ekiti is astronomical as 90.5% agreed to the circumcision of their girl child while majority(88%) in Kaduna disagreed. All socio-demographic variables shows a positive significant relationship to the practice of FGM in a chi-square test. In summary the finding shows a substantial level of subscription to the practice of FGM in southwest, Nigeria however the practice is infinitesimal in Northern, Nigeria. The study recommends a spontaneous advocacy programs coupled with pragmatic jingles in local dialects that would centre on educating the populace on the inherent dangers of FGM practice especially in the southwest and furthermore, to totally dissaude the trifling percentage that agree to FGM practice in North by demystifying all FGM cultural beliefs which would culminate to the extinction of the heinous practice.