The Practice and Socio-Cultural Effects of Female Genital Mutilation Among Mature Females in Akoko, Ondo State

Abstract

This study explores the socio-cultural dynamics sustaining Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Akoko South East, and Akoko South West Local Government Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. Despite intensified global and national campaigns against FGM, the practice remains widespread due to entrenched cultural beliefs, social norms, and generational transmission. Employing a descriptive survey design, 400 questionnaires were distributed, yielding 358 valid responses from women of reproductive age, community elders, religious leaders, and health professionals. The instrument covered demographics, awareness, cultural attitudes, personal experiences, health consequences, and policy responses. Findings show that 95.5% of participants were aware of FGM and 82.1% acknowledged its health risks, yet the practice endures, driven by moral expectations, social conformity, and symbolic associations with womanhood and marital eligibility. Over half of the respondents had undergone FGM, typically before age ten, with parental decision-making playing a central role. Cultural pressure and communal expectations emerged as dominant motivators, even among those personally opposed to the practice. Encouragingly, resistance is growing, especially among educated women 87.2% endorsed education-based interventions and 79.3% expressed willingness to engage in community dialogues to end FGM. The study applies Social Norms Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, the Health Belief Model, and Ecological Systems Theory to explain how cultural symbols, perceived expectations, and structural factors shape individual behavior. It concludes that legal prohibitions alone are inadequate; instead, comprehensive strategies involving education, community engagement, and mental health support are vital. Key recommendations include integrating FGM education into school curricula, empowering religious and traditional leaders as change agents, enhancing legal enforcement, and offering trauma-informed care for survivors.