The effects of female genital mutilation among teenage girls and young women in Nigeria.

Abstract: Female genital cutting is a problem that has taken several dimensions and continues to be practiced despite enormous efforts and resources invested by governments,non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to ensure that the practice is discontinued worldwide. This study was conducted with the primary objective of assessing the views and perceptions of NGOs on the practice of female genital cutting in Nigeria. The study also examines efforts by civil society and the Nigerian government towards combating and eliminating the practice of FMC in Nigeria. Aside from the systematic literature review, a case study of ten NGOs were interviewed on the telephone. Findings indicate that girls being kept pure as virgins, protection of girls' reproductive potential, increase in fertility, aiding marriageability, traditional practice, and keeping with lineage practice are responsibile for the practice in Nigeria. Few theories were reviewed, and research questions were designed in line with the theories. The approaches include the Functionalist theory, cultural relativism, social theory and Feminism.