Verbreitung

Im Jahr 2018 sei laut einer Umfrage (Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, DHS) der Nationalen Bevölkerungskommission der Anteil der Frauen zwischen 15 und 49 Jahren, die einer Genitalverstümmelung unterzogen worden waren, bei 19,5 Prozent gelegen (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 466, Tabelle auf S. 474). Im Vergleich dazu sei dieser Anteil im Jahr 2013 noch bei 24,8 Prozent gelegen (National Population Commission, Juni 2014, S. 350).

Den Daten von 2018 zufolge scheine es, dass die Verbreitung von FGM rückläufig sei. Nur 13,7 Prozent der Frauen zwischen 15 und 19 Jahren seien beschnitten, im Gegensatz zu 31 Prozent der Frauen im Alter zwischen 45 und 49 Jahren. Am häufigsten seien Frauen der ethnischen Gruppe der Yoruba mit 34,7 Prozent betroffen, am seltensten Frauen der ethnischen Gruppen der Tiv und Igala mit jeweils etwa einem Prozent. Frauen in städtischen Gebieten seien wahrscheinlicher von FGM betroffen (24,2 Prozent) als Frauen in ländlichen Gebieten (15,6 Prozent). Die Verbreitung sei im Südosten mit 35 Prozent und Südwesten mit 30 Prozent am höchsten. Im Nordosten des Landes sei die Praxis mit 6,1 Prozent am wenigsten verbreitet. (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 467, Tabelle auf S. 473)

Beim Vergleich des Anteils von Töchtern zwischen 0 und 14 Jahren, die laut Angaben ihrer Mütter nicht beschnitten gewesen seien, zeigt sich hingegen ein anderer Trend. Während der Anteil der nicht beschnittenen Töchter im Jahr 2013 noch bei 83,1 Prozent gelegen sei (National Population Commission, Juni 2014, S. 353), liege er den Daten von 2018 zufolge bei 80,9 Prozent (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 468, Tabelle auf S. 476).

Folgende Grafik zeigt die Verbreitung von FGM in den verschiedenen Bundesstaaten mit Stand 2018 (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 467):

[Bild entfernt]

Alter bei Durchführung des Eingriffs und Formen von FGM

Der Eingriff erfolge meist im Kleinkindalter. Bei 85,6 Prozent der betroffenen Frauen zwischen 15 und 49 Jahren sei den Daten von 2018 zufolge der Eingriff im Alter von unter fünf Jahren erfolgt. Von den Mädchen im Alter zwischen 0 und 14 Jahren seien 19,2 betroffen gewesen, bei 17,2 Prozent in dieser Altersgruppe sei der Eingriff bereits innerhalb des ersten Lebensjahres erfolgt. (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 468, Tabelle auf S. 476)

Die am weitesten verbreitete Form der Genitalverstümmelung in Nigeria sei Typ II („etwas Gewebe entfernt“) mit 40,7 Prozent aller betroffenen Frauen im Jahr 2018. 9,6 Prozent seien von Typ I („eingeschnitten, kein Gewebe entfernt“) und 5,6 Prozent von Typ III („zugenäht“) betroffen[1]. 44,1 Prozent hätten angegeben ihren Status nicht zu kennen oder die Daten dazu würden laut Angaben in der Umfrage fehlen. (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 466)

Die Daten aus dem Jahr 2018 enthalten auch Angaben zu nicht-klassifizierten Formen der Genitalverstümmelung. 40,4 Prozent der genitalverstümmelten Frauen seien von „Angurya“ („Abschaben von Gewebe“) und 13 Prozent von „Gishiri“ („Einschnitte in der Vagina“) betroffen gewesen. Bei 6,6 Prozent der von FGM betroffenen Frauen seien ätzende Substanzen eingeführt worden. (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 467-468, Tabelle auf S. 475)

Wissensstand und Haltung zu FGM

60,8 Prozent der Frauen zwischen 15 und 49 Jahren hätten von FGM gehört. Von diesen seien 23,1 Prozent für eine Fortführung der Praxis, während 67,4 Prozent für ein Ende seien. 9,6 Prozent hätten angegeben, dass dies von weiteren Faktoren abhängig sei. (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 465, S. 469, Tabelle auf S. 484)

Nationale Gesetzgebung

Nigeria verfüge der Organisation 28 Too Many zufolge über ein gemischtes Rechtssystem aus englischem Common Law, dem islamischen Recht in den zwölf nördlichen Bundesstaaten und dem traditionellen Recht. Obwohl die Bundesregierung für die Verabschiedung allgemeiner Gesetze verantwortlich sei, müssten die Regierungen der einzelnen Bundesstaaten diese dann verabschieden und umsetzen (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 2).

Die nigerianische Verfassung nehme nicht explizit Bezug auf Gewalt gegen Frauen und Mädchen, schädliche traditionelle Praktiken oder FGM (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 2). Artikel 15(2) der Verfassung von Nigeria verbietet Diskriminierung und Artikel 17(2) sieht gleiche Rechte vor dem Gesetz vor. Artikel 34(1) sieht vor, dass niemand Folter oder unmenschlicher oder erniedrigender Behandlung unterworfen werden soll (Constitution of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999, Änderungen bis 7. März 2011, Artikel 15,17 und 34).

Konkrete gesetzliche Bestimmungen zu FGM sind mit dem Gesetz zum Verbot von Gewalt gegen Personen (Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, VAPP) am 25. Mai 2015 in Kraft getreten (VAPP, 2015). Das Gesetz sei als Bundesgesetz jedoch nur im Hauptstadtterritorium (Federal Capital Territory, FTC) von Abuja gültig, daher müssten die Bundesstaaten entsprechende Gesetze erlassen, um FGM landesweit zu verbieten. Vor der Verabschiedung des VAPP-Gesetzes hätten mehrere Bundesstaaten bereits Gesetze, unter anderem zur Kriminalisierung von FGM, erlassen (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 3).

Der Bericht vom Juni 2018 von 28 Too Many erwähnt, dass nur 13 großteils südlich gelegene Bundesstaaten FGM in irgendeiner Form gesetzlich verboten hätten (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 3). Angaben von Quellen über die Anzahl der Bundesstaaten mit einem gesetzlichen Verbot von FGM variieren teilweise (vgl. USDOS, 13. März 2019, Section 6; Leadership, 18. Februar 2020).

In den nördlichen Bundesstaaten Zamfara, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna und Sokoto gebe es Scharia-Strafgesetze, die Kinder vor verschiedenen Formen körperlicher und psychologischer Gewalt schützen würden (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 3).

Inhalt des Gesetzes zum Verbot von Gewalt gegen Personen (Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, VAPP)

Das VAPP-Gesetz biete laut 28 Too Many keine klare Definition von FGM (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 3), Artikel 6 verbietet aber „die Beschneidung oder Genitalverstümmelung des weiblichen Kindes oder der Frau“. Abschnitt zwei des Artikels sieht eine Haftstrafe von maximal vier Jahren und/oder eine Geldstrafe von maximal 200.000 Naira (etwa 494 Euro, Anm. ACCORD) für die Durchführung von FGM oder die Beschäftigung einer anderen Person für die Durchführung von FGM vor. Abschnitt drei sieht für eine versuchte Genitalverstümmelung eine maximal zweijährige Haftstrafe und/oder eine Geldstrafe von maximal 100.000 Naira (etwa 247 Euro, Anm. ACCORD) vor. Abschnitt vier sieht zudem Strafen für Anstiftung, Beihilfe, Begünstigung oder Beratung für FGM vor (VAPP, 2015, Artikel 6). Das Gesetz enthalte laut 28 Too Many keine Anzeigepflicht einer geplanten oder durchgeführten Genitalverstümmelung (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 3).

Umsetzung der Gesetze

In einem gemeinsamen Bericht an den Ausschuss der Vereinten Nationen für die Beseitigung der Diskriminierung der Frau (UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW) vom Juni 2017 berichten mehrere NGOs, dass es seitens der Behörden wenige Bemühungen gebe, verabschiedete Gesetze mit positiven Auswirkungen für Frauen durchzusetzen. Beispiele für relevante aber nicht ausreichend umgesetzte Gesetze seien unter anderem die FGM-Gesetze in Bayelsa, Edo, Ogun, Cross River, Osun und Rivers. Die Umsetzung dieser Gesetze sei aufgrund kultureller Faktoren sehr schwach. Zudem gebe es keine effektiven Überwachungsmechanismen zur Einhaltung und Umsetzung der Gesetze und die vorgesehenen Strafen seien gering. Die Bevölkerung sei sich zudem der Existenz der Gesetze nicht bewusst. (CEDAW, Juni 2017, S. 9)

 

Dem US-Außenministerium zufolge habe die nigerianische Bundesregierung im Jahr 2018 trotz eines bundesgesetzlichen Verbotes von FGM keine Maßnahmen ergriffen, um die Praxis einzudämmen. NGOs hätten angegeben, dass sie die örtlichen Behörden nach der Verabschiedung eines Gesetzes im jeweiligen Bundesstaat erst von der Gültigkeit des Gesetzes in den einzelnen Bezirken überzeugen müssten. (USDOS, 13. März 2019, Section 6)

28 Too Many berichtet im Juni 2018, dass es der Organisation nicht möglich gewesen sei, Fälle von strafrechtlicher Verfolgung nach dem VAPP-Gesetz seit dessen Einführung im Jahr 2015 zu identifizieren (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 5). Dem Jahresbericht (Berichtszeitraum 2018) des gemeinsamen Programms zur Eliminierung von FGM des Bevölkerungsfonds der Vereinten Nationen und des Kinderhilfswerks UNICEF vom August 2019 zufolge sei die Umsetzung der Gesetzgebung weiterhin unzureichend. In nur sieben Fällen seien Verhaftungen erfolgt. (UNFPA/UNICEF, August 2019, S. 88)

Das VAPP-Gesetz werde einem Artikel der Zeitung Leadership vom Februar 2020 zufolge nur in drei der insgesamt 36 nigerianischen Bundesstaaten und dem Federal Capital Territory aktiv umgesetzt. Dabei handle es sich um die Bundesstaaten Anambra, Oyo and Ebonyi. (Leadership, 18. Februar 2020)

Im Februar 2020 seien drei Personen im Bundesstaat Ebonyi wegen FGM verhaftet worden. Bei den Verhafteten handle es sich um eine Frau, die die Genitalverstümmelung durchgeführt habe, und die Eltern des Opfers. Die Verhaftungen seien auf Antrag der Rechtsabteilung der National Orientation Agency[2] (NOA) des Bundesstaates an den Polizeichef erfolgt (New Telegraph, 20. Februar 2020; siehe auch: The Nation, 6. Februar 2020; Blueprint, 15. Februar 2020)

Mit dem Thema FGM befasste Organisationen

Die Kontaktdaten der Interessensvertretung von Jugendlichen zur Beendung von FGM des Bevölkerungsfonds der Vereinten Nationen (UNFPA) und des UN-Kinderhilfswerks UNICEF findet sich unter folgendem Link:

·      Endcuttinggirls Nigeria: Home, ohne Datum
https://endcuttinggirls.org/contact-us-2/

Das von den Vereinten Nationen geförderte „Stop Cut Project“ der Organisation Hacey setze sich zum Ziel, FGM mittels Implementierung und Durchsetzung von Gesetzen in den Bundesstaaten Ekiti, Osun und Oyo bis zum Dezember 2022 zu reduzieren (Hacey, ohne Datum(b)). Die Kontaktdaten von Hacey finden sich unter folgendem Link:

·      Hacey: Contact, ohne Datum (a)
https://hacey.org/contact 

Die Kontaktdaten der nigerianischen Organisation Centre for Social Value and Early Childhood (CESVED), die sich unter anderem gegen FGM einsetzt (CESVED, ohne Datum (b)), finden sich unter folgendem Link:

·      CESVED - Centre for Social Value and Early Childhood: Contact, ohne Datum (a)
http://www.cesved.org/contact

Die Kontaktdaten der Organisation Society for the Improvement of Rural People (SIRP), die laut Angaben auf ihrer Website gegenwärtig ein Projekt zur Beendung von FGM in fünf Gemeinschaften im Bundesstaat Enugu durchführt (SIRP, ohne Datum (b)), finden sich unter folgendem Link:

·      SIRP - Society for the Improvement of Rural People: Contact, ohne Datum(a)
http://www.sirpnigeria.org/contact.php

Auf Seite 87 des folgenden Berichts findet sich eine Liste von staatlichen und zivilgesellschaftlichen Partnerorganisationen, die mit UNFPA und UNICEF beim Thema FGM zusammenarbeiten würden:

·      UNFPA/UNICEF - United Nations Population Fund; United Nations Children’s Fund: UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation: Performance Analysis for Phase II - UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation: Accelerating Change, 6. September 2018
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNFPA-UNICEF-Phase2Performance_2018_web_0.pdf

Auf Seite 67 des folgenden Berichts von 28 Too Many vom Oktober 2016 findet sich eine Liste von nationalen und internationalen Organisationen, die sich für die Rechte von Frauen und Kindern in Nigeria einsetzen würden:

·      28 Too Many: Nigeria; Country Profile, Oktober 2016 (im November 2017 veröffentlichte zweite Version)
https://www.28toomany.org/static/media/uploads/Country%20Research%20and%20Resources/Nigeria/nigeria_country_profile_v2_(november_2017).pdf

Folgende Dokumente enthalten weitere allgemeine Informationen zu FGM in Nigeria:

·      Terre Des Femmes: FGM in Afrika; Nigeria, Dezember 2019
https://www.frauenrechte.de/unsere-arbeit/themen/weibliche-genitalverstuemmelung/unser-engagement/aktivitaeten/genitalverstuemmelung-in-afrika/fgm-in-afrika/1462-nigeria

·      UK Home Office: Country Policy and Information Note Nigeria: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), August 2019
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2014662/Nigeria_-_FGM_-_CPIN_-_v2.0__August_2019_.pdf

·      UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund: Female Genital Mutilation Dashboard (FGM) – Eritrea, ohne Datum
https://www.unfpa.org/data/fgm/NG

·      UNFPA/UNICEF - United Nations Population Fund; United Nations Children’s Fund: UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Annual Report 2018, August 2019 (Seiten 83 bis 87)
https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/19-152-UNJP-FGM-AR2018-Aug2019.pdf

·      UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund: Nigeria; Statistical Profile On Female Genital Mutilation, Jänner 2019
https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/country_profiles/Nigeria/FGM_NGA.pdf

·      UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund: Female Genital Mutilation: A New Generation Calls for Ending an Old Practice, 2020
https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FGM-a-new-generation-calls-for-ending-an-old-practice_2020.pdf

 Quellen: (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 9. März 2020)

·      28 Too Many: Nigeria; Country Profile, Oktober 2016
https://www.28toomany.org/static/media/uploads/Country%20Research%20and%20Resources/Nigeria/nigeria_country_profile_v2_(november_2017).pdf

·      28 Too Many: Nigeria: The Law and FGM, Juni 2018
https://www.28toomany.org/static/media/uploads/Law%20Reports/nigeria_law_report_v1_(june_2018).pdf

·      Blueprint: Still on female genital mutilation, 15. Februar 2020
https://www.blueprint.ng/still-on-female-genital-mutilation/

·      CEDAW – UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women: NGO Coalition Shadow Report to the 7th & 8th Periodic Report of Nigeria on Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Autoren: AAWORD; AHI - Action Health Incorporated; AWLA - African Women Lawyers Association; Ajegunle Community Project; COD - Centa for Organisational Development; C21st - Centre for Twenty First Century Issues et al., Juni 2017
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1404149/1930_1500391225_int-cedaw-ngo-nga-27702-e.pdf

·      CESVED - Centre for Social Value and Early Childhood: Contact, ohne Datum (a)
http://www.cesved.org/contact

·      CESVED - Centre for Social Value and Early Childhood: Our vision and mission, ohne Datum (b)
http://www.cesved.org/

·      Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, in Kraft getreten am 29. Mai 1999; Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (First Alteration) Act, 2010, unterzeichnet vom Präsidenten am 10. Jänner 2011, veröffentlicht am 11. Jänner 2011; Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) Act, 2010, unterzeichnet vom Präsidenten am 10. Jänner 2011, veröffentlicht am 12. Jänner 2011; Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration) Act, 2010, unterzeichnet vom Präsidenten am 4. März 2011, veröffentlicht am 7. März 2011, Datum laut Dateieigenschaften 15. Oktober 2014 (veröffentlicht von Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja; verfügbar auf Refworld)
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/44e344fa4.pdf

·      Endcuttinggirls Nigeria: Home, ohne Datum
https://endcuttinggirls.org/contact-us-2/

·      Hacey: Contact, ohne Datum (a)
https://hacey.org/contact

·      Hacey: The Stop Cut Project, ohne Datum (b)
https://hacey.org/

·      Leadership: How Nigeria Can End Female Genital Mutilation By 2030, 18. Februar 2020
https://leadership.ng/2020/02/18/how-nigeria-can-end-female-genital-mutilation-by-2030/

·      National Population Commission; ICF: Nigeria Demographic And Health Survey 2013, Juni 2014
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR293/FR293.pdf

·      National Population Commission; ICF: Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018, Oktober 2019
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR359/FR359.pdf

·      New Telegraph: Taking FGM battle to schoolgirls, 20. Februar 2020
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/taking-fgm-battle-to-schoolgirls/

·      SIRP - Society for the Improvement of Rural People: Contact, ohne Datum (a)
http://www.sirpnigeria.org/contact.php

·      SIRP - Society for the Improvement of Rural People: Achivement, ohne Datum (b)
http://www.sirpnigeria.org/achievement.php

·      Terre Des Femmes: FGM in Afrika; Nigeria, Dezember 2019
https://www.frauenrechte.de/unsere-arbeit/themen/weibliche-genitalverstuemmelung/unser-engagement/aktivitaeten/genitalverstuemmelung-in-afrika/fgm-in-afrika/1462-nigeria

·      The Nation: Two students rushed to hospital after undergoing FGM in Ebon, 6. Februar 2020
https://thenationonlineng.net/two-students-rushed-to-hospital-after-undergoing-fgm-in-ebon/

·      This Day: Victory over Female Genital Mutilation in Imo, 15. Jänner 2020
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/01/15/victory-over-female-genital-mutilation-in-imo/

·      UK Home Office: Country Policy and Information Note Nigeria: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), August 2019
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2014662/Nigeria_-_FGM_-_CPIN_-_v2.0__August_2019_.pdf

·      UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund: Female Genital Mutilation Dashboard (FGM) – Eritrea, ohne Datum
https://www.unfpa.org/data/fgm/NG

·      UNFPA/UNICEF - United Nations Population Fund; United Nations Children’s Fund: UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation: Performance Analysis for Phase II - UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation: Accelerating Change, 6. September 2018
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNFPA-UNICEF-Phase2Performance_2018_web_0.pdf

·      UNFPA/UNICEF - United Nations Population Fund; United Nations Children’s Fund: UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Annual Report 2018, August 2019
https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/19-152-UNJP-FGM-AR2018-Aug2019.pdf

·      UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund: Nigeria; Statistical Profile On Female Genital Mutilation, Jänner 2019
https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/country_profiles/Nigeria/FGM_NGA.pdf

·      UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund: Female Genital Mutilation: A New Generation Calls for Ending an Old Practice, 2020
https://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FGM-a-new-generation-calls-for-ending-an-old-practice_2020.pdf

·      USDOS – US Department of State: Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2018 - Nigeria, 13. März 2019
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2004182.html

·      VAPP - Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015
https://laws.lawnigeria.com/2018/04/18/lfn-violence-against-persons-prohibition-act-2015/

·      WHO – World Health Organisation: Types of female genital mutilation, ohne Datum
https://www.who.int/sexual-and-reproductive-health/types-of-female-genital-mutilation

Anhang: Zugrunde liegende Originalzitate aus Quellen

·      28 Too Many: Nigeria: The Law and FGM, Juni 2018
https://www.28toomany.org/static/media/uploads/Law%20Reports/nigeria_law_report_v1_(june_2018).pdf

„Nigeria has a federal system of government comprising 36 states, and a mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states) and traditional law. The legal system is complex and both levels of government play a role in the enactment of laws prohibiting FGM in Nigeria: although the federal government is responsible for passing general laws, the state governments must then adopt and implement them in their respective states. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) does not specifically refer to violence against women and girls, harmful traditional practices or FGM; Articles 15(2) and 17(2) prohibit discrimination and set out equality of rights respectively, and Article 34(1) provides that every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of their person and, accordingly, no one ‘shall be subject to torture, or to inhuman or degrading treatment.’” (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 2)

„The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (the VAPP Act)2, which came into force on 25 May 2015, is the first federal law attempting to prohibit FGM across the whole country. The VAPP Act aims to eliminate gender-based violence in private and public life by criminalising and setting out the punishment for acts including rape (but not spousal rape), incest, domestic violence, stalking, harmful traditional practices and FGM.

The VAPP Act, as a federal law, is only effective in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, and, as such, the remaining states must pass mirroring legislation to prohibit FGM across the country.

Prior to the VAPP Act, several states had already enacted state laws dealing with child abuse, child protection issues, violence against women and girls and criminalising the practice of FGM, including:

Bayelsa State – FGM (Prohibition) Law (2004)

Cross River State – The Girl-Child Marriages and Female Circumcision (Prohibition) Law (2000)

Ebonyi State – Law Abolishing Harmful Traditional Practices Against Women and Children (2001)

Edo State – Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Law (1999)

Enugu State – FGM (Prohibition) Law (2004)

Rivers State – Child Rights Act (2009)” (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 2-3)

„At the time of writing, the VAPP Act has not yet been implemented across all states of Nigeria and only 13 (mainly southern) states have put in place some form of law banning FGM. In some northern areas of the country, the Sharia Penal Codes of states including Zamfara, Kano Kebbi, Kaduna and Sokoto are in place to protect children against various forms of physical and psychological violence.” (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 3)

„The VAPP Act does not provide a clear definition of FGM; Section 6(1) of the law opens with the simple statement, ‘The circumcision or genital mutilation of the girl child or woman is hereby prohibited.’

Section 6(2) criminalises and punishes anyone who performs, or engages another to perform, female circumcision or genital mutilation.

Section 6(3) criminalises and punishes anyone who attempts to perform, or engage another to perform, the practice.

Finally, Section 6(4) criminalises and punishes those who incite, aid, abet or counsel another to perform or attempt to perform FGM.

The VAPP Act does not expressly criminalise failure to report FGM that has taken place or is due to take place.

Harmful practices that risk the spread of HIV (for example, through unclean instruments used by traditional FGM practitioners) are also addressed in the, HIV and AIDS (Anti-Discrimination) Act, 2014, under Section 3(3), which states, ‘No culture, practice or tradition shall encourage practices that expose people to the risk of HIV infection.’3” (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 3)

„It has not been possible to identify any prosecutions brought under the VAPP Act in Nigeria since its introduction in 2015. The most recent report published by the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme did not list any arrests, cases or convictions for FGM in Nigeria during 2016.16” (28 Too Many, Juni 2018, S. 5)

·      Blueprint: Still on female genital mutilation, 15. Februar 2020
https://www.blueprint.ng/still-on-female-genital-mutilation/

„The Ebonyi undergraduates’ case

In the same way, Blueprint Weekend gathered that two undergraduate students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) are currently battling to save their lives at the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre (NOFIC) in Abakaliki after being forced to undergo FGM. This is also as three persons including a patent medicine dealer and parents of a girl have been arrested in Ukwuagba, Ngbo community in Ohaukwu local government area of the state for mutilating a 16-year-old girl, Charity, who a report indicated that doctors are battling to save her life. Those arrested, according to reports, are Mrs. Onwe Oluchi, the patent medicine dealer; Mr. Agbo Ekpa, Charity’s father, and her mother, Mary. They were arrested following a petition by the legal department of the state branch of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The head of the legal department of the agency, Barrister Theresa Ama, had petitioned the state commissioner of police, Awosola Awotinde, after receiving report from a traditional ruler in Ohaukwu local government area about the girl who was mutilated. The state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law stipulates four years imprisonment with or without an option of N200, 000 against perpetrators of FGM, if convicted.“ (Blueprint, 15. Februar 2020)

·      CEDAW – UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women: NGO Coalition Shadow Report to the 7th & 8th Periodic Report of Nigeria on Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Autoren: AAWORD; AHI - Action Health Incorporated; AWLA - African Women Lawyers Association; Ajegunle Community Project; COD - Centa for Organisational Development; C21st - Centre for Twenty First Century Issues et al., Juni 2017
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1404149/1930_1500391225_int-cedaw-ngo-nga-27702-e.pdf

„Legislations favourable to women have been passed, especially at state level, but often, these have had little positive impact on women’s lives. There is little effort and commitment on the part of government to enforce or implement the laws passed. Women themselves continue to hold back from seeking justice when such laws are breached for reasons of cultural beliefs, fear of reprisals from family members and lack of confidence in the justice system.

Examples of relevant but under-enforced laws are:

In October, Bayelsa State enacted a law prohibiting FGM, with penalties for breaching the law in the form of a monetary fine or prison term. In 2000 Edo, Ogun, Cross River, Osun, and Rivers States banned FGM. In Edo State, the punishment is 1,000 naira. Other related state laws are listed below: […]

However, implementation of these laws is very poor due to interference of negative cultures and the refusal of custodians of culture to embrace modifications of the cultural system. Another reason why the laws are not effective is because the state is yet to design effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the laws are obeyed and enforced. The fines for violation of most of the laws are also ridiculously low and cannot promote any form of deterrence. Furthermore, people are not aware of the existence of the laws; thus the laws have just become mere documents, which are yet to find expression in the lives of the people they are supposed to serve.” (CEDAW, Juni 2017, S. 9)

·      CESVED - Centre for Social Value and Early Childhood: Our vision and mission, ohne Datum (b)
http://www.cesved.org/

„Cesved, the Centre for Social Value and Early Childhood, is a non-profit organisation based in Suleja, Nigeria, run by Gift and Abu Augustine. It has been created with the vision of a just and peaceful society where all lives are respected regardless of cultural and traditional beliefs. Cesved supports and empowers women to fight practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Breast Ironing, which leave young girls in horrific pain, unable to develop naturally and at risk of losing their lives. The organisation trains community volunteers so they can educate men and women on the dangers and injustices of these practices. This one-on-one approach is unique and has been very successful. Countless girls and women have been saved from these terrible and traumatic experiences.” (CESVED, ohne Datum (b))

·      Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, in Kraft getreten am 29. Mai 1999; Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (First Alteration) Act, 2010, unterzeichnet vom Präsidenten am 10. Jänner 2011, veröffentlicht am 11. Jänner 2011; Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) Act, 2010, unterzeichnet vom Präsidenten am 10. Jänner 2011, veröffentlicht am 12. Jänner 2011; Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Third Alteration) Act, 2010, unterzeichnet vom Präsidenten am 4. März 2011, veröffentlicht am 7. März 2011, Datum laut Dateieigenschaften 15. Oktober 2014 (veröffentlicht von Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja; verfügbar auf Refworld)
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/44e344fa4.pdf

„15.—(1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity, and Faith, Peace and Progress. (2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited. […]

17.—(1) The State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice. (2) In furtherance of the social order— (a) every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law ; (b) the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be maintained and enhanced ; (c) government actions shall be humane ; (d) exploitation of human or natural resources in any form whatsoever for reasons other than the good of the community shall be prevented ; and (e) the independence, impartiality and integrity of courts of law, and easy accessibility thereto shall be secured and maintained. […]

34.—(1) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly— (a) no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment ; (b) no person shall be held in slavery or servitude ; and (c) no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.” (Constitution of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999, Änderungen bis 7. März 2011, Artikel 15,17 und 34)

·      Hacey: The Stop Cut Project, ohne Datum (b)
https://hacey.org/

„The Stop Cut Project aims to reduce FGM practices through the implementation and enforcement of FGM policies and laws in Ekiti, Osun and Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria by December 2022.” (Hacey, ohne Datum (b))

·      Leadership: How Nigeria Can End Female Genital Mutilation By 2030, 18. Februar 2020
https://leadership.ng/2020/02/18/how-nigeria-can-end-female-genital-mutilation-by-2030/

„Currently, 13 of the 36 states in Nigeria have their separate laws expressly prohibiting FGM. The states are Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Ogun, Delta, Ebonyi, Oyo, Imo, Edo, Cross River and Rivers. However, the VAPP Act is actively enforced in only three of the 36 states in Nigeria and the FCT and the states are Anambra, Oyo and Ebonyi.“ (Leadership, 18. Februar 2020)

·      National Population Commission; ICF: Nigeria Demographic And Health Survey 2013, Juni 2014
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR293/FR293.pdf

„The 2013 NDHS gathered information from mothers on whether their daughters had been circumcised and, if so, at what age. Table 18.5 shows that 83 percent of girls age 0-14 have not been circumcised, while 16 percent were circumcised before they celebrated their first birthday. Among the youngest cohort (age 0-4), 15 percent were circumcised before their first birthday.” (National Population Commission, Juni 2014, S. 353)

·      National Population Commission; ICF: Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018, Oktober 2019
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR359/FR359.pdf

„Table 18.2 shows that 20% of women age 15-49 are circumcised.“ (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 466)

„Trends: Although the prevalence of FGM in the 2018 NDHS cannot be compared with the prevalence in NDHS surveys before 2013 due to variations in definitions, a comparison can be made with the results of the 2013 NDHS as both surveys used the same definition. Overall, the proportion of women who are circumcised decreased from 25% in 2013 to 20% in 2018 (Figure 18.2).” (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 466)

„The prevalence of circumcision seems to be decreasing in Nigeria. Only 14% of women age 15-19 have been circumcised, as compared with 31% of women age 45-49 (Figure 18.3).

By ethnic group, the prevalence of FGM is highest among Yoruba women (35%) and lowest among Tiv and Igala women (1% each).

Urban women are more likely than rural women to have experienced FGM (24% and 16%, respectively).

The prevalence of FGM is highest in the South East (35%) and South West (30%) and lowest in the North East (6%).”(National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 467)

„The 2018 NDHS asked women with female children whether their daughters age 0-14 had been circumcised and, if so, at what age. Eighty-one percent of daughters have not been circumcised, while 17% were circumcised before they celebrated their first birthday (Table 18.5).” (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 468)

„In Nigeria, female circumcision occurs mostly during infancy; 86% of women age 15-49 were circumcised at less than age 5 (Table 18.4 and Figure 18.5).” (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 468)

„The most common type of FGM in Nigeria is Type II (some flesh removed), with 41% of women undergoing this procedure. Ten percent of women underwent a Type I procedure (clitoris nicked, no flesh removed), and 6% underwent a Type III procedure (also known as infibulation)“ (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 466)

„Girls from the Kanuri and Beriberi ethnic groups are most likely to have been infibulated (10%).”(National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 469)

„The 2018 NDHS collected additional information on different types of circumcision procedures women have undergone, particularly procedures that are unclassified. All women who had been circumcised were asked whether they had experienced angurya, gishiri, or use of corrosive methods to narrow the virginal tract. The findings showed that 40% of women who had been circumcised had angurya performed, while 13% had gishiri cuts and 7% experienced use of corrosive substances (Table 18.3).” (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 467-468)

„Other forms, including pricking, piercing, or incising of the clitoris and/or labia; stretching of the clitoris and/or labia; cauterization by burning of the clitoris and surrounding tissue; scraping of tissue surrounding the opening of the vagina (angurya cuts) or cutting of the vagina (gishiri cuts); and introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina to cause bleeding or to tighten or narrow the vagina.

According to researchers, three major forms of FGM are practiced in Nigeria: female circumcision, hymenectomy (angurya), and gishiri cuts (Mandara 2004). The 2018 NDHS collected information on FGM from all women age 15-49 in two-thirds of the survey households. The topics covered included knowledge and prevalence of FGM, type of circumcision, age at circumcision, and attitudes towards the practice of circumcision.” (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 465)

„Now I would like to ask some questions about a practice known as female circumcision, that is, a practice in which a girl may have part of her genitals cut, for example, excision of the clitoris and the labia minora, scraping of tissue surrounding the vaginal orifice (angurya cuts) or cutting of the vagina (gishiri cuts) and even use of corrosive sunstances or herbs into vagina to tighten or narrow it or to cause bleeding.” (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 648)

„Table 18.1 shows that 61% of all women and 63% of ever-married women in Nigeria have heard of FGM.” (National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 465)

„Women age 15-49 who have heard of female circumcision were asked whether this practice is a requirement of their religion. More than three-quarters of women (78%) believe that it is not a requirement (Table 18.9). Similarly, 67% believe that female circumcision should not be continued (Table 18.10).” (10%).”(National Population Commission, Oktober 2019, S. 465, S. 469)

·      New Telegraph: Taking FGM battle to schoolgirls, 20. Februar 2020
https://www.newtelegraphng.com/taking-fgm-battle-to-schoolgirls/

„This may have been the reason the present administration in the state launched an aggressive war against the practice. Afikpo North LGA has the 3rd highest prevalence of FGM practice in Ebonyi State after Izzi and Ohaukwu LGAs which place first and second respectively in the practice. Wife of the state Governor, Chief Mrs. Rachel Umahi, had pushed for a law tagged ‘Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law’. It was passed by the state House of Assembly. The law is aimed at protecting women against obnoxious and harmful practices in their localities and was enacted in 2018 following FGM practice and other violence/harmful practices against girls and women in the state. Section 9 of it said: “The practice of Female Genital Mutilation is absolutely prohibited.” (New Telegraph, 20. Februar 2020)

„Last week, three persons were arrested in Ukwuagba, Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State for mutilating one Charity, a 16-year-old school girl in the area. Those arrested are Mrs. Onwe Oluchi, a patent medicine dealer that perpetrated the act on Charity, Mr. Agbo Ekpa, Charity’s father and her mother, Mary, for forcing the girl to undergo the mutilation when she refused to be mutilated. They were arrested following a petition by the Legal Department of the state branch of National Orientation Agency (NOA). Head of the legal Department of the Agency, Theresa Ama, a lawyer, had petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Awosola Awotinde, after receiving a report from a traditional ruler in Ohaukwu Local Government Area on the 16-year-old girl who was mutilated.” (New Telegraph, 20. Februar 2020)

·      SIRP - Society for the Improvement of Rural People: Achivement, ohne Datum (b)
http://www.sirpnigeria.org/achievement.php

„Currently, we are carrying out a project which seeks to end Female Genital Mutation (FGM) in 5 endemic communities in Enugu State. The project is funded by The Girl Generation (TGG) an organization based in Kenya, but with support from options consultancy (UK).” (SIRP, ohne Datum (b))

·      This Day: Victory over Female Genital Mutilation in Imo, 15. Jänner 2020
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/01/15/victory-over-female-genital-mutilation-in-imo/

„In line with the Imo State Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Prohibition Law No. 6 of 2017, about 54 autonomous communities in two local government areas of the state have publicly declared the abandonment of the practice of FGM and warned those who intend to go back to the practice that they would be prosecuted.” (This Day, 15. Jänner 2020)

·      UNFPA/UNICEF - United Nations Population Fund; United Nations Children’s Fund: UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Annual Report 2018, August 2019
https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/19-152-UNJP-FGM-AR2018-Aug2019.pdf

„Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, which was nationally enacted in 2015, was signed by Ebonyi State in 2018. Enforcement of legislation remains low in the country, with only seven cases of arrests in 2018.” (UNFPA/UNICEF, August 2019, S. 88)

·      USDOS – US Department of State: Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2018 - Nigeria, 13. März 2019
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2004182.html

„Federal law criminalizes female circumcision or genital mutilation, but the federal government took no legal action to curb the practice. While 12 states banned FGM/C, once a state legislature criminalizes FGM/C, NGOs found they had to convince local authorities that state laws apply in their districts. The VAPP penalizes a person convicted of performing female circumcision or genital mutilation with a maximum of four years in prison, a fine of 200,000 naira ($635), or both. It punishes anyone convicted of aiding or abetting such a person with a maximum of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of 100,000 naira ($317), or both.” (USDOS, 13. März 2019, Section 6)

·      VAPP - Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015
https://laws.lawnigeria.com/2018/04/18/lfn-violence-against-persons-prohibition-act-2015/

„Prohibition of female circumcision or genital mutilation

6. (1) The circumcision or genital mutilation of the girl child or woman is hereby prohibited.

(2) A 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 4 years or to a fine not exceeding N200,000.00 or both.

(3) A person who attempts to commit the offence provided for in subsection (2) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding N100,000.00 or both.

(4) A person who incites, aids, abets, or counsels another person to commit the offence provided for in subsection (2) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding NJ 00,000.00 or both.” (VAPP, 2015, Artikel 6)

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