Kwara Communities Decry Female Genital Mutilation

Four communities in Ilorin East local government area of Kwara State, have decried the harmful practices of female genital mutilation (FMG).

The communities also commended the state government through the State Ministry of Social Development and the Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation on drastic measures being taken to discourage the practice.

People of the communities which include Baruba, Amule, Itadu and Idiape in Balogun Gambari Ward 1 and Magaji Are Ward 1 spoke during the sensitisation programme on the harmful effects of FGM.

The resource person and founder of Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation, Dr Christy Oluwole said the programme was organised ” to build capacity for both men and boy, community leaders, religious leaders artisans, teachers, civil servants, students and the general public in putting an end to the harmful practices of female genital mutilation in communities.”

She warned that female genital mutilation is an offence under Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and Child Rights Act with sanctions of four years imprisonment or N200,000 fine or both.