BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI
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Imo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, yesterday joined the rest of the world to commemorate the annual International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), with theme: Stepping up the pace:
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In his address at the ceremony, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma thanked UNICEF for partnering with the Office of the First Lady of Imo State in the fight against FGM.
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Uzodimma, who berated the high rate of FGM in Imo State, called for collaborative fight against the practice especially in the 27 LGAs and communities of the state.
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He said “it is disgraceful and unacceptable that innocent children are subjected to such harmful practice”, calling on parents to unite in the fight against FGM .
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While reeling out the dangers of FGM, Governor Uzodimma said the dehumanising practice can lead to depression and suicide among the female children when they grow into adulthood and discover many inhibitions as a result of the genital mutilation.
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Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating FGM in Nigeria.
The Minister emphasized the need for collective action to end the harmful practice.
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“FGM is a violation of the rights of girls and women, and it has no place in our society.
“We must work together to protect girls from this harmful practice and ensure that they can reach their full potential, ” she said.
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The Minister, who said Nigeria was still grapple with the issue of FGM, said the country has one of the highest prevalence rates of FGM in the world.
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She commended the efforts of organizations working to eliminate FGM, including the UNFPA and UNICEF.
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“We appreciate the support of our partners in the fight against FGM.
“Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for girls and women in Nigeria, ” the minister stated.
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The event was part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM and to mobilize stakeholders to take action to eliminate the practice. Similar events were held in other parts of the country, including Osun State, where the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs recently collaborated with UNFPA to train 50 women as champions for the elimination of FGM.
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In her speech, the wife of the Governor of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, advocated an end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.
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Speaking on the theme “Stepping up the pace, strengthening alliances and building movements to end FGM,” Uzodimma emphasized the need for collective action to eliminate the harmful practice. “FGM is a violation of the rights of girls and women, and it has no place in our society. We must work together to protect girls from this harmful practice and ensure that they can reach their full potential,” she noted.
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Uzodimma highlighted the importance of strengthening alliances and building movements to end FGM. “We need to engage with communities, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to change the narrative around FGM. We must also provide support and services to survivors of FGM and work towards creating a society where girls and women can thrive.”
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“The Imo State Government is working hard to eliminate FGM through various initiatives, including awareness, community engagement, and provision of services to survivors.
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” As the youngest First Lady in Nigeria, Uzodimma has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and girl-child education . Her commitment to ending FGM is a testament to her dedication to creating a better future for girls and women in Imo State and beyond,” she added.
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In his address, Mr. Ibrahim Cisse, Representative of UNICEF, emphasized the need for collective action to eliminate FGM, citing the alarming prevalence rate of 9.7% among girls aged 0-14 in Imo State, which was above the national average of 8.2%.
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“FGM is a violation of the rights of girls and women, and it has no place in our society. “We must work together to protect girls from this harmful practice and ensure that they can reach their full potential, ” he said.
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Cisse commended the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum and the First Ladies of various states for championing the agenda to end FGM. He also highlighted the significance of the theme, “Step up the pace: Strengthening alliances and building movements to end FGM.”
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“This theme is a call to action, a call to invest not only in the physical well-being of survivors but also in their agency, leadership, and empowerment,” Cisse added.
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The UNICEF Representative pledged the organization’s commitment to stepping up its interventions, particularly in the areas of prevention and service provision.
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