Outgoing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed the groundbreaking Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 for the women of Nigeria last month, cementing his legacy as a president who is willing to fight for the rights and protection of women in his country, banning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which is the practice of removing or cutting of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Also known as female circumcision, the practice has been prevalent in more than a dozen countries in Africa.
Women's advocate groups have been optimistic about the news. However, concerns have also emerged about whether the law would entirely eradicate the problem, especially since the practice has been going on for thousands of years, according to Women's Rights News.
Tarah Demant, senior director of Amnesty International, has stated that the move by the Nigerian president is a step in the right direction. However, the passing of the law is but the first step.
"We welcome this ban as we welcome any ban on FGM, in any country. But it's unclear whether other countries will do the same," she said.
"We are hopeful this ban will be coupled with educational outreach to ensure women have access to their health rights, and are free from violence," she added.
The World Health Organization has stated that about 125 million women around the world have undergone FGM. A quarter of the number comes from Nigeria alone, according to The Huffington Post.
The United Nations has previously called for a complete ban on the practice. However, the history behind the practice has made it difficult to stop it. The World Health Organization has also stood against FGM, citing serious health concerns such as bladder infections, open sores, bacterial infection, and heavy bleeding that may lead to death, according to Inquistr.
