The people of Kwara State, especially the parents, have been urged to desist from the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).
The founder of Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC), Dr Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, gave the charge yesterday during a community sensitisation programme on the danger that FMG poses to the girl-child in Ilorin, the state capital.
She described FMG as a harmful tradition that endangers the health and lives of young girls.
The group organised the sensitisation programme in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development to promote zero tolerance for FGM.
Abayomi-Oluwole described FGM as a life-threatening act that must be eliminated to protect girls from infections, psychological trauma and even untimely death.
“This practice is a violation of the rights of the girl-child, and people must be aware that the Child Rights Act prohibits it. Without public awareness, laws alone cannot stop this menace,” she said.
She expressed concern that Kwara State ranks among the states with the highest prevalence of FGM in Nigeria, and urged men to take an active role in discouraging the practice within their families and communities.
“Men are key decision-makers in most families. Their voices are critical in ending this harmful tradition once and for all,” she added.
The director of Social Welfare in the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development, Mr James Kayode, restated the state government’s commitment to ending FGM.
He said the ministry is working closely with UNICEF and other partners to intensify awareness campaigns across the state on the danger of FGM.
The former director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kwara State, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, dismissed any religious justification for FGM.
“No religion promotes the cutting of human genitals. It’s a cultural issue that we must collectively tackle through education and community dialogue,” he said.
