Efforts of anti-FGM campaigners alongside with the joint support of International, National bodies and Non-Govermental Organisations in enlightening the public on the harmful consequences of FGM have brought great impact. There is sensitization through the use of media, cutters are dropping their cutting instruments, more males like those in the Young Men’s Network Against Gender and Sexual Based Violence are beginning to champion and advocate against this harmful practice, and religious leaders are lending their voices and counselling their followers against the practice. Some older women and survivors who have been mutilated are coming out to share their stories and being advocates against this practice. People’s participation is on the increase, discussions around this topic are becoming accepted in African countries. Compared to the past, more girls and women are against the practice now.
In regions where FGM is deeply rooted in their culture or tied to religion, there has however been a noticeable decrease in several of these countries where data was obtained. However, it is difficult to conclude or ascertain coherently the general acceptance to zero tolerance of FGM as the time frame for measuring human behaviour is relatively short. Attribution to the role of laws and resolutions set by international and national bodies has been relevant, showing a collaborative effort to drive zero tolerance of the practice. NGOs have been useful in amplifying, advocating and educating the masses on the harmful practice and seeking to bring its end. The use of the media plays a major part, TED Talks, films (such as Sandra’s cross, Joy, Onikola, In the Name of Your Daughter, A Girl from Mogadishu, e.t.c), telling stories of survivors, and girls at risks experiences, interviews and documentaries, posters, jingles on radio stations and TV stations have also played pivotal roles in keeping people informed of the harmful effect of the practice, leading to its decrease and societal unacceptance.
On the flip-side, in some regions where laws have been passed against the practice, people cross regional or state borders to have FGM performed in regions where it is not illegal, and in some cases the practice is carried out discreetly. In Nigeria, some people are still believes that FGM is a health practice; in a video report on FGM in Ibadan, Nigeria, she interviewed a family who engage in the practice saying the practice helps to prevent a disease which eats up the private part of children, and admits that she cut her three daughters and her grand daughters. Also, her husband, when asked if he was aware of the ban of the practice in Nigeria, said that the Government is unaware of the importance of the practice and these traditions should not be violated.
Although there has been a decrease in FGM prevalence in many areas and laws have been in many countries, 26 out of 29 countries in Africa where FGM is highly prevalent have laws prohibiting the practice; there are factors mitigating the eradication of the practice. Societal attitudes to uncut women as seen in Uganda, where a woman had to get cut because the society saw her as a girl and not a woman, the economic benefits to circumcisers, and rigid cultural beliefs are still driving the practice. The use of healthcare providers to medicalise the practice is also a contributing factor to a negative trend. The World Health Organization, however condemns medicalization of FGM.
As the use of digital spaces and social media platforms has been employed in sharing information by individuals and NGOs, this has played a significant role in advocating for the end of the practice. However, there is the need for the involvement of social media companies whereby a significant part of the population uses their application, these companies can run independent campaigns against FGM to complement other efforts made in the media.
