Nigeria, Sept. 9 -- A coordinated social media campaign defending female genital mutilation (FGM) emerged in Mali this August, reigniting societal debates not just about women's bodily integrity, but also about tradition and national sovereignty.

Days after a national non-governmental organisation displayed posters in Bamako denouncing the practice, anonymous online accounts began posting images that reversed the 'no more' campaign's message. Men of various backgrounds are portrayed smiling or with thumbs up, surrounded by the national colours and the message: 'In Mali, yes to excision! Let's protect girls and build their future.'

The slogan turns the protection argument on its head in a country where cutting out parts of young girls' g...