President Goodluck Jonathan has signed two bills recently passed by the National Assembly into law, one of which prohibits female circumcision.
The new Acts are the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and the Immigration Act, 2015.
Spokesman for the President, Reuben Abati, confirmed the development to reporters in Abuja on Monday.
The Senate had on May 4 passed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, into law.
The Act prohibits female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices.
It also prohibits abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices.
Note: Compare this to Malaysia:
In 2009, Malaysia’s National Fatwa Committee, the nation’s top Islamic council, required all Muslim women in the country to undergo female genital mutilation, otherwise known as female circumcision. A recent study indicated that nearly all Muslim women in the country have had the procedure. But now the United Nations is working with the Committee to repeal ruling that made it mandatory.
More Reports:
- Jonathan signs law that prohibits female circumcision
- Nigeria criminalises female genital mutilation
- Nigeria prohibits female circumcision in new Act
- Senate passes bill criminalising female genital mutilation
- Nigeria outlaws female genital mutilation
Related Posts:
- Female Circumcision Is Becoming More Popular in Malaysia
- UN, Malaysia Groups Seek to Repeal Fatwa Requiring FGM
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