Ebonyi, United nations Set Up Surveillance Team on Genital Mutilation

The Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, has established a surveillance system to prevent, monitor and track cases of Female Genital Mutilation in the 17 communities across Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State.

The system comprise of a 50-member surveillance team made up of two champions per community, representatives of partner community-based organisations and key ministry staff.

The team was inaugurated during a one-day meeting/training held at the Izzi local government area headquarters, Iboko, Ebonyi State.

Addressing the team at the event, the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr. Felicia Nwamkpuma, urged them to take their assignment seriously, adding that it was a call to save lives and protect the future and integrity of women and girls in their communities.

Nwamkpuma, represented by the Head of Department, Women Affairs in the ministry, Mrs Nwakaego Igboke, explained that the essence of the surveillance system was to ensure the sustainability of the gains of the recent public declaration against FGM in the area and forestall a relapse into the practice in the 17 communities.

Taking participants through some of their expected duties, she urged them to act as the eye of the ministry and its partners in their various communities.

One of the facilitators and gender desk officer in the ministry, Mrs. Patience Otozi explained some of the duties of the surveillance team to include ensuring that perpetrators and their collaborators are cleverly fished out and reported to appropriate authorities for adequate sanctions while assisting survivors seek help through appropriate referrals.

Otozi who conducted a refresher training and validated the knowledge of the team on FGM, also engaged them on question and answer session to clarify certain ambiguities and doubts, including their operational spheres and limits.

Some of the community champions who spoke during the event, including Joseph Ogbonna, Cynthia Okemini, Josephine Ofoke and Martha Mbam pledged to utilise the knowledge gained through the exercise to consolidate the abandonment of the practice in their communities.

They appreciated UNFPA and Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs for the initiative which they described as laudable.

A representatives of Better Health for Rural Women and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation, BERWO, Mrs. Mary Onwe said that a follow-up activities and effective monitoring were necessary to sustain the outcome of the public declaration against the practice in the area.

She commended UNFPA and the Ministry for the opportunity to be part of the history which they observed has enriched their knowledge and expertise.

The surveillance team and community champions were principally made up of leaders of community social groups, community health workers, community security and vigilante groups, among others.