A decade after landmark VAPP Act, female genital mutilation still thrives across Nigeria

Ten years after the Federal Government of Nigeria enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015, outlawing female genital mutilation (FGM) and other harmful practices, fresh investigations reveal that the practice remains deeply entrenched across the country.

Despite the landmark law, survivors continue to suffer in silence as family traditions, cultural norms, and weak enforcement undermine the protection the legislation was meant to guarantee. Nigeria today holds the grim record of having the highest number of FGM survivors in the world.

A Law Celebrated, But Barely Enforced

Before 2015, Nigeria relied on the Penal Code in the North and the Criminal Code in the South, both of which offered limited protection against gender-based violence. Years of advocacy from women’s rights groups, civil society organisations, and pressure from the international community finally led to the signing of the VAPP Act.

The Act was hailed as a watershed moment for women’s rights in Africa’s most populous country. But a decade later, critics say the law has remained “ink on paper,” with virtually no known prosecutions of offenders.

Survivors’ Harrowing Stories

For 22-year-old Chiamaka (surname withheld), the promise of protection meant little. On her wedding day in Imo State in March 2021, her husband’s relatives discovered she was “uncut.”

“They held me down and forcefully circumcised me,” she recounted through tears. “When we reported to the police, they arrested my husband instead, calling him a weak man for reporting his family.”

In Oyo State, Mr. and Mrs. Ajibola Ogunwobi returned from a trip in November 2023 to find their daughters, aged 11 and 13, withdrawn and visibly in pain.

“It was their brother who told us their aunt had cut them with scissors,” Mrs. Ogunwobi said. Her husband expressed despair: “Everybody knows the law protects only the rich, not poor people like us.”

The tragedy runs deeper. In June 2024, four-year-old Zainab (not real name) in Lagos died after her grandmother circumcised her while her mother was away.

“When I went to the police, they dismissed it as a family matter,” her mother, Rashida Adenuga, recalled bitterly. “The community chief told me my mother-in-law was only looking out for her granddaughter. Days later, my daughter bled to death in my arms.”

Culture Stronger Than Law

Community leaders and traditional chiefs often issue public condemnations of FGM but quietly shield perpetrators within their communities. Police, meanwhile, regularly dismiss cases as “family issues,” discouraging victims from seeking justice.

“For most people, it is a thing of shame to report relatives to the police,” said youth activist Abigael Omoyajowo. “Even when cases are reported, police dismiss them.”

Medical professionals also continue to witness the deadly impact. “Every now and then, we treat bleeding girls, and many don’t survive,” said Dr. Olaide Subuola, a physician in Lagos.

Advocates Demand Real Action

Child rights advocate Aminat Usman, convener of Hope for the Girl Child, expressed dismay at the government’s inaction:

“No FGM offender has been arrested since this law was signed in 2015. Culture remains stronger than the law.”

Legal expert Festus Oni emphasised that only consistent enforcement can deter perpetrators:

“There must be consequences for offenders, no matter who they are — family members, chiefs, or respected elders. Without that, victims will keep suffering while perpetrators go free.”

He urged religious leaders, who hold moral authority in many communities, to play a greater role. “If they openly condemn FGM, families will be forced to rethink these practices,” he said.

The Road Ahead

As Nigeria marks a decade of the VAPP Act, rights advocates say the fight against FGM must go beyond paper laws. Without rigorous enforcement, grassroots awareness, and cultural change driven by both state and religious leaders, millions of girls remain at risk of mutilation.