Nigeria’s First Lady Pledges Support to Ending Female Genital Mutilation 

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has pledged her commitment to support efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), in Nigeria

She pledged during the opening session of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the theme “Delivering the Global Promise to End FGM by 2030”.

She called on stakeholders to use their platforms to eradicate the harmful practice by creating transformative movements that prevent FGM.

“And empower survivors through comprehensive legal and psychosocial services aimed at restoring the dignity of victims,” she said.

The partners at the Annual Technical Consultation Meeting emphasized the urgent need to end Female Genital Mutilation by 2030, through concerted efforts and the promotion of movements at national, regional, and global levels.

The event had global experts, government officials, and representatives from 17 countries who converged to share lessons learned, strategize, and strengthen collaborative efforts to end FGM by 2030 with a focus on “Local Solutions to Ending FGM.”

The consultation underscored the critical role of women-led organizations in driving change. 

Participants engaged in discussions on evidence-based programming, capacity building, and enhancing joint efforts between UNFPA and UNICEF at all levels.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate said ending FGM by 2030 is an ambitious yet achievable goal and requires the dedication and collaboration of all stakeholders at every level.

“The commitment shown here in Nigeria, especially by the First Lady, is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when we unite for the rights and dignity of women and girls,” she said.

To accelerate action towards ending FGM by 2030, UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Gifty Addico called for a unified and coordinated approach among all stakeholders, pointing out that strengthened alliances and increased advocacy would accelerate action towards eliminating Female Genital Mutilation at a national scale before the global deadline.

“We must continue to raise awareness at all levels of society about the harm of FGM and the importance of gender equality and human rights. By maintaining our commitments and working collaboratively, we can make significant strides toward the complete elimination of FGM in Nigeria by 2030,” she said.

The consultation provided a platform for Nigeria to share its experiences and achievements in addressing FGM and to engage in discussions with international experts and stakeholders.

According to documentation from the Partners, Female Genital Mutilation is internationally recognized as a violation of the rights of women and girls. Nigeria accounts for almost one in ten of the 230 million FGM survivors globally and 22% of the 68 million girls at risk of FGM between 2015 and 2030.

“Despite recent data indicating a decline in national prevalence from 25% to 20% among women, there is a need to double efforts to achieve sustained progress towards the elimination of FGM in Nigeria.”

The event was also graced with dignitaries such as H.E The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashima Shetima, the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, His Royal Highness Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Emir of Shonga, celebrities and influential people including UNICEF Champion Kate Henshaw. 

Ministers and government representatives from Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Yemen also attended and contributed to the discussions.

Since 2014, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Federal Ministries of Women Affairs and Health, have been leading the largest global programme on eliminating Female Genital Mutilation.