Burdened by the existing practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) in collaboration with other organisations have intensified efforts to wage war against the practice in families across the country.
The sensitisation and awareness programmes against FGM with the support from UNFPA, Global Affairs Canada, development partners, implementing partners and relevant stakeholders to stop the surge of the harmful customary traditional practice was recently held at Gudugbu Community in Oyo West Local Government.
The Oyo West community and other members of the society were advised by the government, international agencies, security establishments and FOMWAN on total abstinence from female genital mutilation.
Representatives of the Oyo State Government, Mrs Balikis Olawoyin of the Ministry of Health (Primary Health Care) and Mrs Justina Oladoye from the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University College Hospital were at the signing and Presentation of the Certificate to the Community Leader (Baale Gudugbu) Chief Salawu Abu Oyeniran. The duo urge the FGM Champions and the Surveillance team to report attempts by offenders. The trained team were advised not to romance cultural Stereotype Assumptions that embrace female genital mutilation in society.
It was pointed out that adequate and early reports of transgressors are highly needed to prevent future damage to the Girlchild. Liable offenders will face the court of Law to pay fines and possible imprisonment.
An appeal went to immediate neighbours, friends, and the society at large to influence positive change to stop the cutting of the girlchild.
Alhaja Airat Ogungbenro – the FOMWAN CPN Committee Chairperson & FGM Project Coordinator – enjoined all not to relent in sensitizing the Community at large to save the future of the Girl Child’s Physical Emotional and psychological health.
While giving the overview program report on FGM on House-house, Door-door, and household discussions at community Levels, the FOMWAN State Amirah Dr Oloso B. B ably represented by Comr. Mrs Ojo Monsurat Toyin described the Oyo West FGM abandonment project as a Core- goal achievement and huge success with a positive result, oriented towards FGM Abandonment.
Among others who joined to denounce the Abandonment of FGM/C at the Public Declaration ceremony were relevant law enforcement and agencies – NSCDC, Amotekun, Nigeria Correctional Centre, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Police officers.
This program that started in 2020, with advocacy visits paid to leaders Ojongbodu and Bola Communities of Oyo West on FGM.
Champions and Surveillance teams were identified and trained, which led to Public Declaration on the abandonment of FGM in which Ojongbodu and Bola Communities in November 2020 public declaration of Abandonment of the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation/C at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.
On 17th March 2022, the execution of the program started at Gudugbu Community.
The Cutting of the Girl Child at Gudugbu in Oyo West LG Area of Oyo State engages religious and community leaders, traditional rulers, health practitioners, and traditional birth attendants in support to advocate the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/C.
Meanwhile, the host community appreciated the support of FOMWAN, UNFPA, Global Affairs Canada, development partners, implementing partners and relevant stakeholders for bringing the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation to their doorstep, even as they promised to make good use of ever information passed across to them.
