The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has narrated how a man physically abused his wife because of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The agency revealed that it got to know of the incident a few years ago when it handled a domestic violence case that revealed a painful truth about the lasting impact of FGM.

"A man was physically abusing his wife. When we intervened through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), we discovered the root cause: their intimate relationship," the agency said.

The wife had undergone FGM as a child, which left her unable to experience any pleasure during sexual intercourse. As a result, she often refused or resisted intimacy with her husband.

Instead of understanding her pain, the husband used force, leading to repeated instances of domestic violence. Shockingly, she had informed him before marriage—but the reality was still difficult to navigate.

The agency added, "This is the devastating impact of FGM—it doesn’t just affect a girl at the moment of cutting. It can cause lifelong trauma, destroy relationships, and even put women at risk of violence.

"FGM can result in chronic pain, difficulty in childbirth, increased risk of infections, loss of sexual pleasure, and psychological trauma. Yet, millions of girls are still at risk.

"While progress has been made, the fight to end this harmful practice, which is also a form of Gender Based Violence is far from over."