…highlight harmful effect of FGM
UNICEF and the Oyo State government has organized a training for media professionals from southwest Nigeria and Edo State on how to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The training highlighted the harmful effects of FGM and the need to end the practice.
In her message to the training which was held in Benin, Edo State, Chief UNICEF Lagos Field Officer Celine Lafouucriere expressed dissatisfaction on how some states were still involving in FGM despite the campaign and sensitisation programme to enlighten people on the negative effect of the act.
According to her, Nearly 20 million women and girls in Nigeria have undergone FGM, hence the need to find lasting solution to it.
In his remark, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information, Mr Rotimi Babalola noted that there is need to end Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria in lieu of its health danger to females and appealed to participants to step down the experience gained during the two days trainning to others in their respective States.
He promised that Oyo State Government would continue to partner different agencies to improve on the heath of Nigerians.
In her submission, Communication Officer, UNICEF, Mrs Blessing Ejiofor explained that the programme which was put in place in partnership with Oyo State Government was to equip media professionals on how to carry out advocacy to stop prevelance of the harmful practice of FGM.
In his contribution, child protection specialist, UNICEF, Lagos Office, Mr Denis Onoise confirmed that data shown that Nigeria is the third country worldwide practising Female Genital Mutilation, saying such was harmful to the victims and economy
He lamented the high rate of the harmful practice in Ekiti, Oyo and Osun State , saying there is need for proactive measure to stop the act in the interest of the unborn generation of female Child.
According to him, the cutting will affect the human urinary difficulties, cause intense pain, excessive bleeding among others.
FGM consultant, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo identified weak Community law enforcement, limited male engagement, persistent cultural beliefs, silence by survivors, medicalasation of FGM as major factors responsible for increasing rate of the harmful practice and called for synergy among stakeholders to end the act.
