Visceral Effect of Female Genital Mutilation as Explained by Married People in Nigeria: Implications for Counselling

Abstract

This study investigated the visceral effect of female genital mutilation as explained by married men and women in Nigeria. A Structured questionnaire designed by the researchers was administered to 500 respondents. Mean scores, Standard Deviation and Rank Order were used to analyse the responses collected. On the whole, the findings showed that women who were genitally mutilated faced several visceral effects after the surgical operation. These included self-reproach, poor self-image, painful menstrual periods and severe bleeding. Men whose partners were genitally mutilated confirmed that their wives faced these challenges. Based on these findings, it is recommended that counselling and education should be given to groups that still enforce this practice.