Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
By Nicolette Maina
On 9 th February 2026, Nistawi women attended a local event centred around the topic of
Female Genital Mutilation – the practice of removing the external genitalia of women and
girls for non-medical purposes. This common tradition often happens to girls under the age of
5, with the majority of cases involving girls under the age of 15. While it is frequently
accepted under cultural practices around the world, this global issue contributes largely to
child mortality all over the world therefore causing alarm around the health and safety of
young girls.
According to WHO, in 2026 alone, over four million girls around the world are at risk of
female genital mutilation with a large prevalence in about 94 countries. This violation of
human rights may not only potentially lead to lifelong health consequences for these girls, but
can also be extremely traumatising to its victims, which is why it is so important to declare a
zero-tolerance stance when it comes to this issue.
On this day, nurses, midwives and many keen professionals concerned with this issue, shared
and listened to vital information about both the dangers of FGM, and the experience of many
women who – knowingly or unknowingly – have gone through this procedure, and may
possibly have complications during pregnancy or childbirth. They also discussed the support
systems and safeguarding measures available to protect those at risk and to provide
appropriate medical and psychological care for survivors and highlighted that these systems
are most accessible to pregnant women. Although it is extremely important for women in
maternity care to have access to these systems, it is also equally as important to note that
other women do not have the same access that may help all affected women navigate FGM.
Whether it be because of the lack of knowledge, stigma and shame, or a lack of accessibility,
a large number of girls and women pre-pregnancy are unable to use the healthcare available
for victims, meaning that a large number of cases go unreported and underrepresented.
It is also worth mentioning the late activist, Valentine Nkoyo, who played a pivotal role in
raising awareness on FGM, advocating for all the women and girls who have been denied
education and forced to undergo this practice. Her devotion to this cause and her founding of
the Mojatu Foundation is indeed a large part of what led Nottingham to become the first city
in the UK to take a zero-tolerance stance toward FGM. Her poem “Take me to school father”
which was read in the event, evoked an emotional tone which perfectly encapsulated the
frustrations experienced by young girls in this position, speaking about the longing to be
treated on the basis of character rather than gender, and the will to experience an education
without fear, discrimination, or the threat of harmful traditional practices overshadowing their
future.
Most interestingly, one speaker offered a different perspective and highlighted the cultural
aspect of Female Genital Mutilation that is often not seen in the West. That is, having been
part of a family that practiced this, she shared her opinion and stated that she wished to have
had the option to go through this surgery and experienced the celebrations that came along
with it. Unsurprisingly, this controversial take raised questions in the audience about the
cultural influence in forming these opinions about FGM, and how the expectation to have this
practice done can carry over into one’s adult life, despite the education and awareness
experienced up until this point. Indeed, this different opinion sparked a change in the stance
of most audience members, with some then having an appreciation for the first-hand point of
view. It encouraged a more nuanced discussion about the tension between cultural identity,
personal autonomy, and the global movement to end the practice.
Another interesting aspect to consider is the financial incentives for FGM in many of the
rural areas in which it occurs as because of the cultural expectations that surround this
procedure, many women are not able to be married without it. Realistically, this has meant
that many parents that are not able to continue to support their children and therefore feel
obligated to put their daughters through this to secure what they believe will be a stable future
for their daughters, even when it involves significant physical and emotional harm.
That being said, while Female Genital Mutilation is an unequivocal violation of human rights
and a form of gender-based violence, it is important to realise how nuanced it is and be aware
of the cultural sensitivity that is needed when discussing it. Though it is easy to condemn
anyone that practices it, there is a cultural awareness that is needed when discussing it in
order to engage communities in constructive dialogue and support sustainable, community-
led change rather than alienation or defensiveness.