Veteran Nollywood actress Victoria Inyama has sparked debate after revealing on Instagram Live with Daddy Freeze that her childhood circumcision is “the best thing that has ever happened to her.”
Inyama, who underwent the procedure at age five while living with her grandmother in a rural village, described female genital mutilation (FGM) as having helped her control her sexual urges. She stated the procedure gave her the power to abstain from sexual activity and claimed it prevented her from being seen with men in hotels.
“I was circumcised because I grew up with my grandmother in the village,” Inyama said. “That’s the best thing that they did for me because it is helping me a lot. If I say I no dey do, I no dey do. And that is the power that I have.”
FGM, also known as female circumcision, involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The practice has been widely condemned by health organizations worldwide as a violation of human rights that can cause severe physical and psychological trauma.
Medical experts warn that FGM can lead to complications including severe pain, excessive bleeding, infections, urinary problems, and childbirth complications. The World Health Organization states there are no health benefits to the practice and that it reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes.
While Inyama expressed gratitude for the procedure, her comments have drawn criticism from women’s rights advocates who emphasize the trauma many survivors experience. The actress acknowledged the procedure’s negative aspects but maintained her personal view that it has been beneficial in her life.
The discussion highlights the ongoing debate about cultural practices and their impact on women’s health and autonomy, particularly in communities where FGM remains prevalent despite international efforts to end the practice.
