Wife of Abia State governor, Pricilla Otti has advocated amplification of voices of female genital mutilation (FGM) survivors and investing in movements to bring the practice to an end.
“FGM, a harmful and archaic practice, is one such issue that continues to cast a shadow over the lives of countless girls within our communities,” she lamented.
Mrs Otti spoke in Umuahia, the state capital, at the 2024 Day Against Female Genital Mutilation with the theme “Her Voice, Her Future: Investing in Survivor-led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation.”
Represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Adaeze Chidera Emetu, the state first lady argued that “to achieve this goal, we must work together on multiple fronts.
“One of our strongest tools in the fight against FGM is education. We must enlighten our communities about the physical and psychological consequences of FGM.
She maintained that working under the banner of zero tolerance for FGM, “Our commitment today will shape a brighter, more equitable future for the women and girls of our state.
“Together, we can break the chains of this harmful tradition and create a legacy of empowerment and dignity for generations to come.”
The audience included female students and women from different backgrounds.
Earlier in her address, the commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ngozi Felix stressed that any action that encourages FGM cannot ignored as the the reality of its dangers to women and girl-child abound.
In his remarks, Eze Larry Ogbonnaya Agwu of Ajata na Igu autonomous community, Ikwuano local government, underlined the need for the involvement of traditional rulers in campaigning against the practice.
The resource persons, which included Princess Orie Agomoh, Chizaram Onwusogh, and Chidinma Alozie, delivered lectures on health, psychological and legal consequences of the FGM.
