Group tasks stakeholders on intensive sensitisation of parents on dangers of FGM

Thu, Feb 8, 2018 | By publisher


Health

AN NGO, Women Arise for Change Initiative (WA), has urged stakeholders in the health sector to carry out intensive sensitisation on the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, the President of the organisation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the dangers of this practice were enormous and could affect women emotionally.

“There is urgent need for stakeholders to engage the circumcisers and carry out intensive education of parents on the dangers and effects of this practice.

“The effect of this injury on the female is enormous; it can lead to persistent urinary and vaginal infections, infertility and most importantly abnormalities in the female sexual function.

“As we speak, today Nigeria has a statistics of about 27 per cent of female genital mutilation and with about six states still deeply practising the barbaric culture.

“So, there is need for an urgent education of some of our illiterate mothers who sometimes request that their daughters be inflicted with the injury,’’ Okei-Odumakin said.

She urged stakeholders to review the past works and actions that were so far taken to end the practice.

The gender activist said that only rigorous and new actions could help the country to stop the unhealthy traditional practice inflicted on girls and women, all in the name of cultural beliefs and perception.

Okei-Odumakin, also a human rights campaigner, blamed the persistent practice of the act on lack of proper enforcement of the bill criminalising female genital mutilation in the country.

“Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights. The girls usually undergo the practice without their informed consent.

“They are also deprived of the opportunity to make independent decision about their bodies, ‘’ she said. (NAN)

– Feb. 8, 2018 @ 12:29 GMT |

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