Chapter 2 -

I couldn’t wait for the break period the next day at school. As soon as the bell rang, I shot out of my seat and bolted to the staff room. But I lost courage when I got to the door. All the teachers were there and I didn't want them to overhear what I wanted to tell Miss Corper. I turned around to go back to class, but Miss Coper called out to me.

“Amina! Come in,” she called. She must have seen me standing at the door. I turned back and went inside hesitantly.

“Are you alright?”

I nodded automatically, caught myself midway, and shook my head.

“Aunty, I...I want to tell you something,” I said nervously and I glanced around at each teacher in the staff room.

She stood up and said, “Follow me.”

I gave her a grateful look and walked beside her. Miss Corper must have understood I needed privacy, to share something personal. She led me to the big mango tree behind the staff room. It was airy and private, and we sat together there.

“What has been bothering you, Amina? I have observed you in class; you seem stressed about something.”

I burst into tears at her kind inquiry. She was the first person in a long time to ask how I really felt. So I told her everything: Sisi’s terrible experience, Papa’s beliefs and his insistence that I undergo the same procedure, my fears, and Mama’s weak position in the matter.

Miss Corper listened without interruption. After I finished speaking, Miss Corper scooted closer to me and hugged me.

“Thanks for sharing this with me, Amina. You are a brave girl, do you know that? You did the right thing.”

She leaned back, gently took my hands in hers, and looked into my eyes. “We will get past this together.”

As Miss Corper spoke, I felt a huge sense of relief. She said "WE", realizing I was not alone, I squeezed her hand in return and smiled. Miss Corper sat still for a while, deep in thought. Then she spoke.

“I’d like to speak with your mother. Tell her to meet me tomorrow by 10 am. I’ll be free to talk then.”

“Ok, aunty, I will tell her. Thank you for helping me.”

“Stay strong, Amina,” she said.

After school that day, I hurried through the crowded streets to Mama’s stall in the market. She stood behind her table, selling farm produce she'd harvested to help with our daily needs, in addition to what Papa brings home.

“Mama!...” I shouted as I ran to her. Panting with my hands on my knees, I tried to speak. “I spoke... I spoke with Miss Corper today, she can help…”

“Mina! Are you alright? Why are you running? Calm down.”

After catching my breath, I repeated my news with excitement and explained my discussion with Miss Corper.

“You said she wants to see me tomorrow?”

“Yes, ma, by 10 am.”

Mama nodded and muttered under her breath, “Maybe this is God’s way of answering my prayer.”

..............

Mama met Miss Corper the next day as agreed.

I did not sit with them when they had their conversation, but Mama later told me Miss Corper explained the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation and how it was a Gender-based violence case. She told Mama this was her chance to fight for me, so what happened to Sisi would not repeat in my case. Miss Corper also said she needed to speak with Sisi and asked for her number.

From that moment, everything move quickly.

Sisi came home that weekend after a long while, because Miss Corper called her. She had a terrible fight with Papa about his wanting me to go through the same ordeal she experienced.

“How can you be so hard-hearted?” “You are supposed to learn from my case,” she shouted.

“It’s our tradition!” “Women have no say in it.”

“I had no say when you forced your decision on me before, but now? I have a lot to say. You’re not the one suffering the consequences—the pain that I felt. I will do whatever it takes to make sure my little sister never has to face what I did!”

Papa roared back, “No child of mine will bring dishonor to me or Egohor tradition.”

“I see you never changed, you value your traditions more than your own blood.” Sisi spat, her eyes glistening with angry tears.

They kept going back and forth that night. But Sisi did not give up.

She and Miss Corper used their contacts with an NGOs fighting Female Genital Mutilation in the state and in collaboration with officials of the Ministry of Health to tackle the issue. The Egohor FGM tradition gained public awareness, and previous victims stepped forward to lend a shoulder to the fight against FGM. Their real-life testimonies were heart wrenching that enough evidence was gathered to make a case to put an end to the tradition.

Even UNICEF was involved. A delegation from well-known NGOs and government officials visited Egohor’s traditional leader and elders to discuss the Female Genital Mutilation tradition. Inspection of the local health facilities and Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) was also done.

Many quack health professionals were identified and banned from practice.

The FGM tradition was no longer enforced on girls or young women, to the joy of everyone in the village. It soon became clear that many people had opposed it but were too afraid to speak out until now.

Afterward, Papa didn't push for me to undergo the procedure that tradition again. With Sisi’s support, I became a peer trainer for girls my age. I still hold regular training in my school and talk to my peers about FGM, gender-based violence, and human rights. I tell other girls how and where to seek help if they need it.

All these were made possible by Miss Corper. Thank Good for NYSC programme that posted a member to my school during that trying time. Sometimes I wonder what would have become of me if she hadn’t been posted to my school that year.

I am 13 year old today and am happy. I have my whole healthy life ahead of me. Every girl deserves this, and I am determined to do my part to see that they get it.

...

Authors Note

Female Genital Mutilation is a harmful practice involving the partial or total removal of female genitalia. Immediate dangers include severe bleeding, infections, and urinary problems, which can lead to death.

Long-term side effects include chronic pain, infertility, and childbirth complications. Some experience menstrual problems, sexual dysfunction, and psychological trauma. In Nigeria, prevalence varies by state. National rates are declining, but some states have seen an increase to 23% by 2025. FGM performed by Health professionals is also on the rise, but it remains dangerous.

FGM is a human rights violation with devastating health consequences. Ending it requires education, advocacy, and community ownership. The 2030 Agenda calls for total elimination.

Every girl deserves safety, dignity, and the right to grow without harm.

PS: Was in a State Stirring meeting on Ending FGM some month ago when this story came to me. So many girls have undergone or will experience FGM even as we speak. I decided to write about it. If you read this, do me a favour and re-share this story or spread the message.