APPLICATION OF BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE COMMUNICATION IN ERADICATING FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN CROSS RIVER STATE

Abstract

The conundrum of female genital mutilation FGM, is a consequential issue of public concern. Many people debunked the fact that FGM is becoming a global issue. Well, there is no doubt that many countries in the world do not practice this perennial aged tradition. However, many countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe etc. are amidst the countries that practice these idiosyncrasies/ disgruntle tradition. In Nigeria, female genital mutilation has been on a high increase, a situation that has led to the demise of many young girls who would have been prominent Nigerians in the nearest future. The paper was to examine Application of Social and Behavioural Change Communication in Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation in Cross River State. Moreso, KABBs model, Advocacy strategy and Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) was adopted to buttress the paper. However, the study concluded that societal beliefs system and random cultural practices was a major factors militating against the aversion of genital mutilation practices in Cross River State. Therefore, the paper recommends that Laws should be advocated that will discourage the practices of FGM in Cross River State and Nigeria at large. Also, International organizations, government and NGOs should double bids in the fight against female genital mutilation in Nigeria with specific emphasis in the affected areas.