Ending female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria could help curb the spread of Aids, a politician in the country has claimed.
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo Bello, chairman of the Senate House Committee on Health, said a lack of awareness about basic sterilisation procedures on the part of traditional medicine men meant infected instruments were often used on multiple girls.
Bello called for immediate government action to tackle the problem.
"We must shine the light on this hidden ritual and talk about it openly," she said.
"We must understand the thinking of the perpetuators and try and enlighten them by debunking each of their reasons for continuing this outdated and unnecessary custom.
"Preventing FGM through education and enlightenment must become part of primary health care delivery."
Hajiya Aisha Shinkafi, the wife of the Zamfara State governor, added that a lack of access to basic primary health facilities exacerbated the problem.
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