Paper Title
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) In Nigeria: Prevalence And Modalities For Prevention And Eradication

Abstract
Female genital mutilation (FGM) also known as circumcision/cutting is an age-old practice which is perpetrated in many communities and societies of the world simply because it is customary and traditional. What is problematic is that the practice has not been significantly influenced by either the increase in value or literacy or ongoing modern values in countries of the world where it is practiced, especially, in Nigeria and most African countries. This paper critically examines the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, the ills done to the girls and women through the practice, why it is still performed despite the debates and advocacies against it worldwide and the modalities for its prevention and eradication. The study employed secondary data on female genital mutilation from journals, books, reports, seminar papers and libraries to extract necessary information. The study revealed that the act is still practiced due to its link with sexuality, marriage-ability, economic gains, tradition, and rites of passage to woman-hood, religion, cultural aesthetic reasons, myths and beliefs. The paper recommended that high level advocacy on the ills of female circumcision and enlightenment programmes on its prevention and eradication should be intensified by all female genital mutilation stakeholders as change agents. Nigerian Government should put up actions for its prevention and eradication through legislation and other programmes. Keywords: Eradication, female-genital-mutilation, modalities, prevalence, prevention.