Stop the practice of Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, in Nigeria, the Head, Women Development and Child Rights Programme of the Justice Development and Peace Commission, (JDPC), Ibadan, Mrs. Omotayo Adebayo, has charged.
Adebayo made the call in Ibadan while speaking at this year’s World Female Genital Mutilation Day, International Day on Zero Tolerance to Child Labour, held at the JDPC office, St Patrick Catholic Church, Basorun.
The occasion was attended by primary health workers from Oyo and Osun states.
She disclosed that over 1.4 billion dollars are being expended globally on yearly basis for the treatment of survivors of FGM thereby grossly affecting the budget for the health sector.
Adebayo stressed that the time had come for Nigerians to desist from the practice of Female Genital Mutilation, saying, “it is better to do away with FGM and have more for health sector.”
She emphasized that Female Genital Mutilation apart from been an act of injustice to female child, did portend great dangers for the future of female child in terms of health, among others.
Adebayo further tasked primary health workers to intensify efforts in ensuring drastic reduction in FGM in their respective areas through adequate orientations and enlightenment of mothers on the health hazards and dangers associated with FGM as well as its effects on the future of their female children.
The Programme Officer, Women Development and Child Rights Programme, JDPC, Ibadan, Mr. Olanipekun Ayorinde, on his part, said going by the UNFPA recent report, 200 million girls or women of reproductive age, (15-49) were affected by Female Genital Mutilation worldwide.
Ayorinde stressed that the 2016 UNFPA indicated that FGM was more prevalence in Africa with Nigeria said to be having “the absolute highest prevalence of FGM”, stating that the report also indicated that in Nigeria, six states, including Oyo and Osun states were identified with the prevalence of FGM
He then pointed out that considering the report, there was the need for all hands to be on deck towards putting an end to FGM.
