Read what the UN said about female genital mutilation in Nigeria
-The United Nations has condemned the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Nigeria
-The UN says the practice could cause some health and psychological challenges to victims
-The UN has set February 6, yearly as the international day for zero tolerance to FGM/C
UNFPA country representative, Ratidzai Ndhlovu
The United Nations has condemned the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in all all parts of Nigeria.
This was the thrust of the event organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children Educational Fund (UNICEF) and the GuardianUK at the Presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday, February 9.
Speaking on the theme “accelerating the abandonment of female genital mutilation” the UNFPA country representative, Ratidzai Ndhlovu noted that over 19 million Nigerian women have undergone FGM/C around the country.
She said: “It has become increasingly critical to consider adopting proactive actions to end FGM because an estimated 19.9 million Nigerian women have undergone FGM and the practice seems to be on steady increase in some parts of the country including the South east zone from 40 per cent in 2003 to 48 per cent in 2013.
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“FGM is barbaric, cruel and insensitive act. The procedure is risky and life threatening for the girl child. The psychological trauma is immense.”
“In a number of countries, FGM which is meant to control or suppress women’s sexuality has led to great suffering. It is a violation of the basic rights and a major lifelong risk to women’s health,” she added.
The UNICEF country representative, Jean Gough described the practice as a major problem in Nigeria which affects one in every four women.
She described FGM as “a harmful and violent practice that could scar girls for life both physically and psychologically.”
Minister of women affairs, Aisha Alhassan while delivering a key note address at the event
In her remarks, the minister of women affairs, Aisha Alhassan noted that the ministry in collaboration with other development partners has organised training programme for over 100 health workers in Osun state on prevention and management of FGM/C cases in the state.
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She stated that the ministry had also organised house to house discussions and visits to traditional and religious rulers geared towards the abandonment of the practice in the communities with high prevalence.
A drama presentation by the Abuja drama troupe
Highlights of the event was a ten minutes drama presentation on the dangers of the FGM practice by some members of the Abuja drama troupe.
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