Owerri — Stakeholders in Owerri have called for full implementation of the law against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) as passed by the Senate.
They also called on the political class, Mosques, Churches, schools and the media to ensure that the practice is stopped.
The stakeholders made the call at a one-day UNFPA/UNICEF joint Media Dialogue to mark the 2017 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM/C held in Owerri.
The programme with theme, `Building a Solid and Interactive Bridge between Africa and the World to Accelerate ending of FGM by 2030′, was organised in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Senate in May 2015 passed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill criminating Female Genital Mutilation, Harmful Widowhood Practices and Violence against women.
The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Imo, Bishop Standford Nwaorgu, called for seriousness on the part of stakeholders especially the government towards ending the practice through full implementation of the law binding its practice.
He said the “barbaric” practice which was an old culture should be done away with as was in other developed parts of the world.
The traditional ruler of Ugiri Nwike Autonomous Community in Ikeduru LGA of Imo, Eze (Dr) Emma Nwaigwe expressed surprise that despite the awareness ongoing on the FGM/C, many communities are still on it and called for a change of attitude.
The Chairman of NUJ, Imo Chapter, Sir Innocent Igwe, described FGM/C as being as old as Nigeria’s custom and history which might take sometime to stop.
He expressed happiness that UNICEF and other international agencies were giving their support toward the eradication of the practice.
Igwe called for a continuous awareness creation by all stakeholders especially the media as link between old tradition and new tradition and the need for adequate budgetary allocation towards ending the practice.
Meanwhile, the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has raised alarm at the growing rate of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) across the globe.
UNICEF said at least 200 million girls and women have fallen victim to the scourge in 30 countries.
It said that although the practice is concentrated in Africa, FGM/C is also practiced in some communities of Asia, Latin America and the Arab states.
The global body added that with globalization, girls in Diaspora communities around the world are also at risk.
UNICEF FGM/C consultant for Imo and Ebonyi, Mr Benjamin Mbakwem made this known while addressing participants at the forum.
He said a survey in five states in the country showed prevalent rate of FGM/C of more than 60 percent.
Mbakwem said Osun and Ebonyi have the highest prevalence rate of 77 percent and 74 percent respectively.
Other states, he said, are Ekiti with prevalence rate of 72 percent. Imo (68 percent), while Oyo is 66 percent.
Mbakwem said FGM/C has serious implications for the sexual and reproductive health of girls and women.
He, however, assured that UNICEF was working with the Federal and State governments, especially in the Southern states where the practice is most rampant, to train partners, while creating awareness at all levels.
Mbakwem said they also work with communities to convince practitioners and community members to promote awareness and end the ugly practice.
“UNICEF works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
“Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action; focusing special effort in reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere,” he said.
Commissioner for Health, Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Njoku who declared the forum open decried the pains, horror and agony associated with FGM/C, adding that it had rendered many a girl child useless.
She said the state had initiated moves to contain the ugly practice in all communities.
Njoku, therefore, enjoined traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion molders and media professionals to assist in the crusade against the monster called Female Genital Mutilation.