ABSTRACT
One of the most painful physical and emotional experiences for many women and young girls from developing countries is female genital mutilation. A contribution of demographic variables to prediction of attitude and knowledge of consequences of FGM among female civil servants in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria was carried out to determine this research circumcision of the female has been reported to give rise to major complications both to the mother and the young girl during delivery resulting in increased maternal morbidity and foetal loss. Female circumcision which is the partial or complete removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reason has been a controversial issue. It has caused a lot of problems to women and young girls in the region.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Chapter One
Background of the Study
Statement of problems
Purpose of study
Significance of the study
Research Question
Scope of the study
Definition of terms
Chapter Two
Literature review
Chapter Three
Research Methodology
Sample Study
Sample and Sampling
Sample Techniques
Research Instrument
Population
Administration of instrument
Method of analysis
Chapter Four
Data Presentation and Analysis
Chapter Five
Summary
Recommendations
Conclusion
References
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also known as Female Genital Cutting (FGC), Female circumcision, or Female Genital Mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is defined by the World Health Organization (2007) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reasons. The practice of FGM is one of the most significant health and human right issues in the world (UNICEF 2005). According to Thorpe (2002) on his part describe Female Circumcision as excision, where part of the labia minora and the majora are stitched together and a hole left to allow the urine and menstrual blood to escape. In a similar vein, Amnesty International (1997) states that Female Circumcision is the removal of all or part if the labia minora and cutting of the majora to create raw surfaces which are then held firm by a collar over the vagina when they heal.
Although the exact origin of Female Genital Mutilation cannot be stated. There are some evidence suggesting that it originated from ancient Egypt (WHO 1996). An alternative explanation is that the practice was an old Africa rite that came to Egypt by diffusion. According to UNICEF (2005) the majority of FGM cases are carried out in 28 Africa Countries. In some countries (e.g Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan), prevalence rate can be as high as 98 percent in other countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Togo and Senegal, the prevalence rates vary between 20 and 50 percent. It is more accurate however to view FGM as being practiced by specific ethnic group, rather than by a whole country as communities practicing FGM straddle national boundaries.
Until the 1950s FGM was performed in England and the United States as a common treatment for lesbianism, masturbation, hysteria, epilepsy and other so called “female deviances” (Reymond, 2007). In a study in Kenya and Sierra Leone it was revealed that most protestants opposed FGM while majority of Catholic and Muslims supported it continuation. (Ali, 2007). Also there was a direct correlation between a woman’s attitude towards FGM and her place of residence, educational background, and work status. (Mohamud, 2008). Demographic and Health Survey indicates that urban women are less likely than their rural counterpart to support FGM. Employed women are also less likely to support it. Women with little or no education are more likely to support the practice than those with a secondary or higher education. Data from the 2004 Sudanese Survey (of women 15 to 49 years old) show that 80 percent of women with no education or only primary education support FGM, compared to only 55 percent of those with Senior Secondary or higher schooling (Ali, 2007).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Female genital mutilation is associated with a series of health risk and consequences to women undergoing FGM operations in and around the world.
- The crude surgery of FGM come with pains causing the girls and women to scream
- bleeding and hemorrhaging followed with serious trauma
- The process dehumanize the girls and women by bounding legs together and publicly
- exposing of the girl and women private parts.
- FGM increase risk of HIV infections and other infections.
- FGM is believed to reduce girl and women lubido for sex.
- FGM is believed to have adverse effect on women during child birth.
- FGM practice is based on religious and cultural belief.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THIS STUDY
1. Who believe that FGM exist and those who do not believe on its existence.
2. To ascertain if FGM as ever existed in Edo State.
3. To ascertain the implication of FGM for social work practice in Nigeria.
4. To find out if religion has a role to play in the promotion or otherwise of FGM.
5. To find out factors that may otherwise influence the existence of FGM.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
This study intends to offer answer to some pertinent questions surrounding the issue of female genital mutilation. These questions are:
- Does educational qualification of people affects their believe about female genital mutilation?
- Does female genital mutilation really exist in Edo State?
- Does lack of education contribute to the practice of female genital mutilation?
- Does the Christian/Islamic religions support the practice of female genital mutilation?
- Does female genital mutilation affect the sexuality of victims?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is significant in two dimensions which are theoretical and practical. Theoretically it is hoped that the outcome of this study will constitute a scientific body of knowledge that will become a point of reference for other scholars who would want to carryout similar research. It will also add to existing knowledge of FGM in southern Nigeria. Practically it is hoped that this study will assist government in re-evaluating existing policies so as to come up with a more realistic programmes and policies towards the eradication of FGM in Edo state and Nigeria in general.
1.6 SCOPE OF STUDY
The study is on the myth and realities of female genital mutilation in Edo State. It seeks to find out if FGM truly exist in the state. The entire adult male and female population constitutes the study population out of which a sample of four hundred adult men and women will be used for the study.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Myth: This means something that many people believe that does not exist or is false.
Reality: This means the true situation and the problem that actually exist in life.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): This means all procedures that involve partial or total removal of female external genitalia or injury to the genital organs for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reason. In this context the terms was used interchangeably with female circumcision or female genital cut.