Female genital mutilation:lived experiences and newspaper representation in Nigeria

Osuntokun, Aderonke 2025. Female genital mutilation:lived experiences and newspaper representation in Nigeria. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation [FGM] is the traditional act of the cutting/removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is a common practice in many regions in Africa and other parts of the world. It continues unabated despite documented complications and its declaration as a human rights violation and a form of child abuse by international bodies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organisation. Nigeria has the highest absolute FGM figures globally, and South-West Nigeria is documented as having the highest rate of FGM in Nigeria. The past couple of years has witnessed a rise public consciousness/awareness on FGM-related issues. This thesis examines how Nigerian newspapers represent FGM with an understanding of the (interrelated) cultural dynamics that drive the practice as one cannot be researched without the other. Therefore, this study is interdisciplinary in nature. Its empirical structure is two-fold. The first part focuses on understanding the cultural meanings of FGM through reviewing the pertinent literature to establish a conceptual basis for the study. This intellectual foundation is linked to a thematic analysis of 20 in-depth interviews conducted with people drawn from a practicing community in South-West Nigeria (as well as 3 interviews in the UK with FGM support workers ). The second part presents a content analysis of selected Nigerian press coverage of FGM from 2010-2017. Included is an analysis of FGM newspaper reports from the UK that not only reveals the extent and nature of Nigerian coverage in comparative context but also gives an overview of how FGM is conceptualised in the UK press. Findings reveal reasons for the persistence of FGM ranging from patriarchal ideas about promiscuity (linked to marriageability), to identity reasons. The media are identified as a decisive factor that aids FGM’s persistence due to non-availability of newspapers in high-prevalence areas. Although coverage in the Nigerian press increased between 2010 and 2017, coverage has remained relatively sparse compared to the UK with press attention prompted mainly by legal moves, campaigns and specific ‘awareness days’ rather than news being proactively created by Nigerian journalists. Of note is how FGM survivors are seldom quoted as sources or given central places in Nigerian news reports. The thesis concludes with a reflection on the contribution made by its findings for understanding of FGM, a summary of limitations, and suggestions for future research. Finally, it discusses how news media coverage might be improved in supporting efforts to combat FGM. Finally, interest in this study stems from my background as someone with cutters as family members, survivor friends and relatives and my professional background as a Reference Librarian which often brought me into contact with different resources, particularly newspapers. This background is reflected in the recommendations.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Journalism, Media and Culture
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	24 June 2026
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2026 11:19
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/187713

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