Worried about the age-long practice of female genital mutilation in Nigeria, a non-government organisations, Frontline Ending FGM has taken awareness campaign to residents of Ankar Community in Kurudu, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory, to sensitise the people on dangers of female circumcision.
The campaign with the theme; “Say No To Female Genital Mutilation” was held at the palace of the Esu Ankapeyi Boknu, village head of the community.
Speaking at the event in Abuja yesterday, the Convener, Daniel Zamani said female genital mutilation, which is the removal of the upper clitoris from the women genitalia does not have any benefit.
He said UN statistics shows that about 300million girls are being circumcised globally. “Why we came to this community is because many people have migrated from rural areas to urban areas, and most of these people are still practicing this tradition.
“We came to sensitise them on the risk of FGM which can lead to anxiety, depression, unstopped bleeding, discrimination and also urinary problem, delayed child-birth. It also suppresses women arousal towards the male counterpart.”
Tami who decried the process, said some of the objects used for the circumcision are not sterilized which poses health threat. “I want to appeal to all parents to shun the barbaric practice. Let’s stop abusing the rights of our girls and depriving them of their future.”
The Village Head, Abuwami Ishaya in his address commended the team for bringing the awareness campaign to the area. He frowned at the practice, calling on all women in the community to desist from the act.
“I want to assure you that I will take this message across the community, especially to our women to stop the practice. The way we love our children, is the same way we should protect them from unwholesome practices like this that can affect their health and well-being.”
Also speaking, Esther Gambo, Women Leader and Community Mobiliser promised to sustain the awareness in the community. She emphasized that the act is mostly carried out in hospitals after childbirth.
She promised to support the sensitisation by engaging the women occasionally on the dangers of female circumcision.
