By Muyideen Aliyu
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a profound violation of human rights, characterized by the non-medical alteration or cutting of female genitalia.
Devoid of any health benefits, the practice leaves a trail of severe physical and psychological trauma, ranging from immediate infections and excruciating pain to long-term childbirth complications.
Recognizing these dangers, a global shift is underway to categorize FGM not as a cultural rite, but as a systemic infringement on the bodily autonomy of women and girls.
In Nigeria, Kwara State has positioned itself at the forefront of this battle by championing a comprehensive, multisectoral approach.
The administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is currently refining the 2026–2030 Action Plan on FGM, signaling a long-term institutional commitment to scrubbing this practice from the social fabric of the state.
Central to this strategy is the robust implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child Rights Law, which provide the legal teeth necessary to transition from mere advocacy to enforceable protection.
The state’s strategy is built on the foundation of high-level stakeholder engagement. By securing the “buy-in” of first-class traditional rulers across the three senatorial districts, the government is effectively deconstructing the cultural justifications for FGM from the top down.
This is complemented by the appointment of dedicated FGM Champions and a unique requirement for stakeholders to sign an oath of allegiance to the cause. This grassroots mobilization extends into the heart of commerce and faith, with the government engaging market associations, religious organizations, and schools to ensure that the message of eradication permeates every level of communal life.
Thee government is not merely talking to the public but is directly confronting the practitioners themselves. Through targeted sensitization, the state aims to provide these individuals with alternative livelihoods, acknowledging that economic dependency often fuels the persistence of harmful traditions.
To support these efforts with empirical evidence, the state is embarking on a comprehensive survey across all 16 Local Government Areas. This data-driven approach ensures that the Child Rights Implementation Committee (CRIC) can maintain an up-to-date registry of cases, allowing for precise interventions where they are needed most.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has added significant weight to this movement by intensifying enlightenment campaigns in areas like Moro Local Government. However, the Commission highlights a persistent barrier to justice: familial interference. Even when arrests are secured, the culture of silence and family-led mediation often thwart the prosecution of perpetrators. This reality underscores why the state’s upcoming FGM Convention is so vital; it serves as a public platform to reinforce the legal consequences of these acts and to empower victims to seek justice without fear of social reprisal.
The success of this multisectoral approach is already being mirrored in the work of Civil Society Organizations. Groups such as the Welfare for Children and Teenagers Initiative (WECTIN) and the Save the Future of Children Initiative (SAFIN) have reported measurable declines in FGM cases within Ilorin West, Ilorin South, and Asa Local Government Areas.
As Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs.) Opeyemi Oluwakemi Afolashade, recently reaffirmed, the synergy between legislative enforcement and community advocacy is the only viable path forward. By treating FGM as both a legal crime and a social malady, Kwara State is building a protective shield around its next generation of women.