Reps propose 4 years jail term, N200,000 fine for female mutilation offenders

By Christiana Ekpa 

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed through second reading a Bill for an Act to amend the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 to increase the penalty for the offence of female genital mutilation.

The bill Sponsored by Ganiyu Johnson from Lagos, seeks imprisonment of four years or a fine not exceeding N200,000.00 for any person who performs female genital mutilation or engages another to carry out such circumcision.

In his lead debate, Johnson said the amendment proposed to section 6(2) of the Act is as follows: “6 (2) Any person who performs female circumcision or genital mutilation or engages another to carry out such circumcision or mutilation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding one million naira or to both”.

The lawmaker expressed optimism that an amendment of the said section 6 will go a long was in deterring persons from engaging in the unwholesome practice of female genital mutilation.

“A UNICEF survey recently revealed that in Nigeria, one out of four girls and one out of ten boys suffers from sexual molestation and about one out of ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Among factors that encourages the commission of such unwholesome practices like female genital mutilation is lack of adequate sanctions. 

“Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, excision or genital cutting, comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injuries to the genital organs for non-medical reasons, mostly carried out between infancy and age 15. 

“The procedure has no health benefits for girls and women. Because it is usually performed without permission and often against will, it violates girls’ right to make important decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Reports show that, 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone a form of genital mutilation (FGM). 

“An additional 2 million girls could undergo female genital mutilation by 2030 as a result of Covid-19. It is for this reason that this Bill is proposed, to review the sanctions provided within the VAPP Act, so as to give it the required deterrence it deserves,” he said.