Nollywood filmmaker and actress Biodun Stephen has shared a deeply personal account of undergoing female circumcision at the age of six.
Speaking in an interview with Diaryofanaijagirl, Stephen said the procedure was carried out by her grandmother as part of a long-standing family custom. She added that her mother had also been subjected to the same practice.
“The Pain Was Searing”
Recounting the incident, Stephen said she was taken from home under the impression that she was going on a casual outing. She recalled being allowed to play and eat before events took a different turn.
According to her, she was asked to bathe and later told to lie on a mat placed on the floor.
“I remember it vividly, the pain. As I’m talking to you, I can still see the picture. I was six. I didn’t know what was happening,” she said, describing the experience as intense and unforgettable.
Stephen noted that although decades have passed, the memory remains clear in her mind.
Long-Term Effects Vary
The filmmaker also spoke about the long-term implications of female circumcision, explaining that the impact can differ depending on the extent of the procedure.
She stated that in some cases, women may struggle with sexual pleasure or orgasm, depending on how severely they were cut.
Her comments add to ongoing conversations around female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that has faced widespread criticism from health experts and human rights advocates.
Views on Relationships
In another part of the interview, Stephen addressed her perspective on infidelity in relationships.
She said cheating is not necessarily a deal-breaker for her but believes there should be consequences.
According to her, walking away from a cheating partner can be the simplest form of accountability.
Stephen’s revelations have sparked discussions online, particularly around cultural traditions, women’s bodily autonomy, and evolving attitudes toward relationships in contemporary Nigerian society.
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