The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria accounts for the highest number of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) globally, with about 32.5 million Nigerians being affected.
While stressing that FGM is a violation of the fundamental human right of the girl child, it urged all stakeholders to join forces to end the dangerous practice across the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who made this known in a statement to commemorate this year’s International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB), signed by the Deputy Director and Head of Advocacy (CRIB) at the Ministry, Mercy Megwa, stated that the education of the public at all levels, will go a long way to curb the practice of FGM.
“The ICDB was launched by UNICEF in 1991 to encourage broadcasters worldwide to create awareness on children’s issues. It’s a day when broadcasters allow children to be part of the programming process, to talk about their hopes, dreams and exchange ideas with their peers on issues affecting them.
“The theme for this year’s celebration is; ‘End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) now; it’s a violation of the rights of the girl child.’ Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide, accounting for about one quarter of the estimated 115 to 130 million circumcised women in the world
