NATIONAL POLICY AND PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN NIGERIA

A Plan outlines strategies to eliminate female genital mutilation in Nigeria through legal enforcement, community engagement, and survivor support. It targets girls and women at risk, communities practicing FGM, law enforcement, and NGOs. This aims to achieve a Nigeria free from FGM by 2030.

What Is This Policy?

Nigeria's national policy and action plan for eliminating female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) through a combination of legal enforcement, community engagement, and survivor support.

Who Does It Target?

Girls and women at risk of FGM/C Traditional and religious communities practising FGM/C Law enforcement and courts NGOs working on FGM/C elimination

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Achieve a Nigeria free from FGM/C by 2030 through community mobilisation, enforcement of the VAPP Act's FGM prohibition, and support for survivors.

Key Features

Legal Framework: The VAPP Act 2015 criminalises FGM/C — this policy operationalises the law. Community Engagement: Community dialogues and engagement with traditional leaders to shift social norms. Survivor Support: Provides clinical and psychosocial support for FGM/C survivors. Monitoring: Tracks FGM/C prevalence through periodic surveys aligned with SDG indicators.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active Coverage: All states, particularly high-prevalence areas (Osun, Ekiti, Ebonyi, etc.) Beneficiaries: Girls and women; communities Funding: Federal Government; UNICEF; UNFPA; donors

How to Access

Report FGM/C to police, NAPTIP, or child protection agencies Survivors: access clinical and psychological support through health facilities Communities: engage with FGM/C elimination community dialogue programmes Application method: Report FGM/C to Police or NAPTIP at https://www.naptip.gov.ng

Important Terms

FGM/C is illegal under the VAPP Act 2015 and attracts imprisonment Community gatekeepers including traditional rulers are central to elimination success Nigeria has one of the highest absolute numbers of FGM/C cases globally despite declining prevalence

Impact & Metrics

FGM/C prevalence in Nigeria declined from 25% to approximately 20% in recent surveys, reflecting progress but continued urgency.

Official Resources

Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health / Federal Ministry of Women Affairs

Legal Framework

The National Policy and Plan of Action for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation operates under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, the Child Rights Act 2003, and the National Health Act 2014. It aligns with Nigeria's obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the African Charter's Maputo Protocol on Women's Rights (Article 5 on harmful practices), and the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/67/146 on eliminating FGM.