Senator Jummai stated this at the side event on accelerating the elimination of harmful Traditional Practices with emphasis on eradicating Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) at the Africa union (AU) conference Hall, New York in United State of America.
She said that the elimination of harmful Traditional Practices including female Genital Mutilation which remains a top priority of President Muhamadu Buhari administration’s agenda, adding that Nigeria cannot afford to neglect the women who constitute about half of our population as their health livelihood and productivity level is central to achieving a diversified and thriving economy of our dream
Alhassan expressed that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with the Federal Ministry of Health and through the support of United Nations Population Fund ( UNFPA) and UNICEF under the joint programme on accelerating the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and also carried out numerous advocacy and sensitization programmes to create awareness on the need to abandoned and desist from Female Genital Mutilation (FGN) in the prevalent states in Nigeria, adding that a total of 100 medical personnel and social workers have been trained on prevention and management of female Genital mutilation (FGM), according to her, the affected states have 105 FGM eradication champions that have been trained to carry out house-to-house visitation in the prevalent communities
She said that to address the problem of female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria and consolidate the global efforts for the elimination of the challenges, according to her, the government of Nigeria amongst other strategies enacted the violence Against Persons Prohibitation (VAPP) Acct in 2015 as a comprehensive legal instrument to holistically address different forms of Gender.
Senator Jummai said that the prevalence of female Genital Mutilation/cutting persist in Nigeria despite the undeniable efforts of the government and partners, adding that the National representative survey (NDHS, 2013) shows that 25% of Nigeria Women are circumcised with variation across states of Nigeria and Nigeria government have ratified international conventions and protocols that support the promotion and protection of women and girls.
She said that Vesicular Vaginal Fistula (VVF) committee is working with the ECOWAS Gender Development Center to repair, rehabilitate and reintegrate the first batch of 40 VVF patient in Katsina and Kaduna states this year 2017, adding that sensitization and awareness campaign is currently going on in many communities in the prevalent states, according to her there is need for enforcement of relevant laws, prosecuting offenders and providing support and care to victims.
The Commission on the status of Women( CSW) at the United Nation Head quarters in New York said that women and children constitute over half of the world’s population and parliament is expected to initiate Gender sensitive budget, adding that parliament must ensure an inclusive Gender sensitive budget that receives wide supports to provide for women empowerment in policy areas such as health, environment, Agriculture, education, access to funds and Technological innovation that reduces poverty.
