Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and its Psycho-Social Implications on the Girl-Child in the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which is otherwise known as female circumcision, is a viral practice across the face of Africa that undermines the rights of women and female children, causing them health, emotional and social traumas. Nigeria is nonetheless left out of this practice, as reported cases of FGM abound across Nigeria. This is a field research carried out in Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State, to ascertain the psycho-social implications of FGM on the girl-child. Using linear regression model and simple percentage through the Predictive Analytic Software (PASW, it was found that FGM has cultural, sociological and psychological implications on the girl- child in Cross River North Senatorial District in Cross River State. Amidst other recommendations, it was suggested that media awareness and activism should be used to sensitise the people on the dangers of FGM, thereby playing down on the harmful socio-cultural practice. Although FGM is harmful, the study concluded that the practice is bound to linger due to cultural determinism which holds practitioners spellbound