Female Genital Mutilation: Survivor turned advocate, Melony Ishola, calls for storytelling to drive change

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a deeply ingrained practice in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. However, journalist, filmmaker, and gender advocate Melony Ishola is using storytelling as a powerful tool to challenge the status quo. Speaking on the TV show Real Talk With Kike, hosted by ace broadcaster and Chief Consultant of Zedge Holdings, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo, Melony shared her harrowing experience and the urgent need for continued advocacy.

According to Melony, the culture of silence and shame has long prevented real conversations about FGM, making it difficult to effect tangible change. She emphasized that breaking the silence through survivor stories is the key to dismantling the practice.

“If we do not tell the story, I do not think it’s easy for us to achieve real changes in real time. The UNFPA-UNICEF joint campaign for the elimination of female genital mutilation has been heavily focused on spotlighting survival stories, and in my opinion, that is the bravest move so far.”

Melony, who herself is a survivor, did not even realize she was a victim of FGM until 2020 when conducting field research. Her findings were shocking. In Kajola Local Government Area, Oyo State, the prevalence rate of FGM was a staggering 98%, meaning only 2% of female children in that area were spared the practice. Thanks to relentless advocacy and community engagement, that figure has dropped to 92% as of last year.

One of the driving forces behind this reduction is Princess V.O. Adetona, the founder of the Rural People Development Initiative, who has dedicated herself to educating and engaging stakeholders, rural women, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and schools. Her relentless efforts, along with the courage of survivors like Melony speaking out, are shifting mindsets and encouraging change.
“You may think a 6% drop is small, but for those of us working on the ground, every percentage counts. Every girl saved from this practice is a victory. Imagine if we had more people like Princess Adetona in these spaces—how much more progress could we make?” Melony stated.

She further highlighted that the battle against FGM extends beyond Nigeria to Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and immigrant communities worldwide. The power of storytelling, she believes, is the strongest weapon in dismantling the practice.

With continued advocacy and survivor-led storytelling, Melony remains hopeful that more communities will recognize the dangers of FGM and work toward its eradication. She urges governments, organizations, and individuals to support awareness campaigns and empower survivors to share their experiences.