Female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria may not meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals target 5.3 deadline, according to a warning from a women’s reproductive‑rights advocate working under the aegis of Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation. The organisation noted that, with an estimated 19.9 million survivors, Nigeria accounts for the third‑highest number of women and girls who have undergone FGM worldwide.
Lucky Palmer, Country Director of Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, expressed these concerns in a statement released on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. The statement, titled “Call to action to end female genital mutilation in Nigeria,” was obtained by The on Tuesday and highlighted the day’s theme: “Partnership with men and boys to transform social and gender norms to end FGM.” Palmer noted that while about 68 million girls worldwide were estimated to be at risk of FGM between 2015 and 2030, the trend is increasing among Nigerian girls aged 0‑14.
“The human rights of women and girls—including the right to live free from violence and to have the opportunity to realize their full potential—must be protected and upheld,” Palmer said. “Ipas Nigeria recommits to ending this grave human‑rights abuse. We reiterate the need to accelerate efforts—especially with families and communities—to achieve a Nigeria safe for girls and women and finally free of FGM. We must take determined action to bring about change and eradicate this practice if we are to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (target 5.3) deadline of zero FGM by 2030. We can all do our part to stand against this harmful practice.”
Palmer also pointed out that rates of FGM have risen from 16.9 percent in 2013 to 19.2 percent in 2018, a “worrying trend,” according to UNICEF.
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