Anambra Governor’s wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has called for increased enlightenment and consistent advocacy; in order eliminate female genital mutilation completely from the society.
Mrs. Soludo, made the call in a statement released in Awka to mark the 2023 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, FGM.
Data published by the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency says globally, it is estimated that at least two hundred million girls and women have undergone some forms offemale genital mutilation.
The data says that if current trends continue, additional fifteen million girls between fifteen and nineteen years would be subjected to female genital mutilation by 2030.
Of the number stated, forty-four million of those who have been cut are fourteen-year-old girls and younger ones.
According the Governor’s wife, while previous efforts to check the demeaning practice have made commendable headway, it is important for stakeholders to keep the campaign alive by raising awareness on the negative health, physical, psychological and mental effects of the practice.
Mrs. Soludo also explained that by developing strategic education plan and being consistent in the advocacy, societies still practicing female genital mutilation would come to terms with its ravages and, most importantly, understand the fact that it is a clear violation of human rights.
Though Nigeria is exempted from African countries where the practice is still prevalent, Mrs. Soludo believes that complete abolishment of the practice, which still lingers in some rural communities, is essential to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals’ target.
The Anambra State Governor’s wife, who is a child and women’s rights advocate, said that female genital mutilation does not only portray inequality in sexes, but shows an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls, as well tampers with their rights to health, social security and physical integrity.
She further stated that though Anambra State is almost free from the obnoxious practice, continuous awareness would still be carried out by the government, private and non-governmental groups, to completely rid the state of female genital mutilation.
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