The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, on Monday, lamented the increasing cases of incest, especially as it affects the girl-child.
She called on stakeholders to ensure better protection for the girl-child in a bid to ensure proper growth and development.
Egbemode in her goodwill message at an event commemorating the international day of the girl child with the theme: ‘Digital generation, our generation,’ organised by the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, in Osogbo, also identified Female Genital Mutilation as one of the practices affecting the proper growth of the girl-child.
Represented by Bukola Aderibigbe, a director in the ministry, Egbemode charged female children not to be afraid to speak out whenever they faced situations that may affect their growth.
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She also urged all stakeholders to work with the common goal to eradicate challenges that may impede the proper development and growth of female children.
She said, “Female genital mutilation is another fundamental problem affecting the female child because apart from the psychological effects, the health effect of FGM is massive.
“Recently, I listened to a story of a female child saying her father abused her from infanthood to adulthood, to the extent of having a child for him. The situation is worrisome. It is a world against a female child but we have to brace up and face it.”
The National Moderator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, Lanre Omole, in his remarks, explained that the group, through the programme had created awareness and engaged in high-level advocacy on issues around girl-children.
