Nigerian Filmmaker Biodun Stephen has bravely shared her experience with female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. This harmful tradition, often framed as a rite of passage, can leave lifelong physical and psychological scars.

Stephen revealed that she underwent FGM at age 6, performed by her grandmother as part of a cultural practice. She described the experience as “very painful” and recalled the traumatic memory vividly. Her courageous sharing aims to raise awareness about FGM, which affects millions of girls and women worldwide, including 20% of women aged 15-49 in Nigeria.

FGM is a violation of human rights, with no health benefits, and can lead to severe complications, including clitoral cysts, hemorrhage, and psychological trauma. The Nigerian government has passed laws banning FGM, but efforts to eradicate the practice continue.