Oyo: UNFPA Commemorates International day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

By Rukayat Ojo, Ibadan

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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), join hands with development partners to draw the attention of the general public to the dangers associated to the practice of Female Genital Mutilation.

READ ALSO: Group seeks End to Female genital mutilation

Speaking at a United Nations Population Funds project implemented by Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health in collaboration with the Oyo state Government, Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji said this year’s celebration became imperative as survivors need to speak up not only for themselves but by doing so also they are investing in the future of many unborn girls.

“Today we are here to commemorate this year’s international day for zero tolerance to female genital mutilation. We reaffirm our dedication to the girls and women who have been subjected to this grave violation to human right. Every survivor’s voice is a call is a call to action.”

She stated that more than 200 million girls and women have undergone Female Genital Mutilation and this year alone about 4.4 million would be at risk of being mutilated if efforts are not intensified to curb the menace.

Stakeholders as well as survivors gathered at the Jericho Nursing homes, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria to commemorate this year’s international day for Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

The theme for this year is: “Her voice, her future: investing in the survival led movement to end Female genital mutilation.”

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the female genitalia for no medical reason. It is a gruesome act perpetuated on the victim immediately after birth.

In his address, Dr, Osoka, the Director Primary Health Care Board, Oyo state opined that Female Genital Mutilation is an aged long harmful cultural practice that hurt the future of a voiceless girl at birth and it’s done without her consent. He disclosed that girls and women only live up to the consequences and complications that follow the event that was carried out.

“And that affect every aspect of that girl’s life. One, physically you have tampered with the natural structure of the female genital that God has put their perfectly but by cultural belief or practices, you have tampered and that is mutilating.”

Mrs Balikis Olawoyin, a staff with the Oyo state primary healthcare board in her address commended the Oyo state government for its unwavering support for quality health care delivery in the state. She also commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as well as other development partners for taking the fight to end Female Genital Mutilation to the grassroots.

“Having our survivors being seated here today is as a result of the work we’ve carried out in the grassroots. We are working and Oyo state government has to be applauded. If the government does not give an enabling environment for the partners to collaborate with the Ministry we wouldn’t have had this type of gathering.”

She applauded the survivors who surmounted the courage to identify with the state project by coming out and talk about FGM.

“Now is your turn, survivors- he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches. If you collaborate with us, form a group, join us in the crusade, share your experiences, it would be a kind of true life story and they will take us more seriously.”

In the meantime, Professor Oladosu Ojendege, a Public Health Consultant and the Director Center for Comprehensive Promotion Reproductive Health lamented that despite campaigns and sensitisation programmes being carried out year in year out to curb the archaic and orthodox act, some individuals engage the services of some medical practitioners to get their girls circumcised.

“It’s absolutely unnecessary, it is uncalled for, it has no reason to get it done. They should never have done it. Those who are doing it are doing it for their own personal gain, perhaps monetary gain and those parents who took girls to the hospital unfortunately because they could afford it. Even till now few educated people who are deeply entrenched with tradition and who can pay a surgeon or a nurse to do circumcision still do it.”

In a goodwill message, the Assistant Commandant Stella Omotosho on behalf of the Controller, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Oyo state command assures the general public of the commands commitment to partner with relevant stakeholders to fish out perpetuators. She said the command will continue to synergize with other law enforcement agencies in the state to ensure total eradication of the menace.

In the same vein, the representative Ministry of Justice, Tomi Popoola described the event as a laudable one which should be keyed into. She emphasized on the need for victims to speak out and seek for justice. She further states that the fight against female genital mutilation go beyond jail term for perpetrators.

“Victims need therapy and in order to achieve that social workers as well as clinical psychologist need to be included. Development partners from Ministry of health, women affairs, religious bodies as well as community leaders need to synergize to give proper and adequate attention.”

She added that community leader as well religious leaders should no longer be complacent with cases associated with Female Genital Mutilation as it now a criminal offence.

The event was graced by the Chief Medical Director, Jericho Nursing Home, the Director Center for Comprehensive Promotion Reproductive Health (CCPRH), Prof Oladosu Ojengbede, Staff of Jericho Nursing home, The Representative, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Tomi Popoola, the Representative, Controller Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Oyo state command, Assistant Commandant, Omotosho Stella, Representatives of Ministry of Women Affairs, Religious groups, Women group, survivors as well Pressmen.

 

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