The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says Nigeria has
the third highest cases of female genital mutilation globally.
According to UNICEF, about 20 million women and girls in
Nigeria have undergone genital mutilation.
Celine Lafoucriere, Chief UNICEF
Lagos Field Office disclosed this at a-two day Media dialogue to support
advocacy to end Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria on Wednesday in Benin
City.
The programme held for media practitioners in South-West
states and Edo State is organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Information.
“This is a huge number we cannot be blind or deaf to. Most
of them were cut before their 5th birthday, at that age when they were
completely powerless, when they couldn’t consent, resist or even understand
what was happening to them.
“Despite being outlawed in Nigeria, this harmful practice
continues in many communities. It continues fuelled by myths, fuelled by
tradition. But those myths and traditions must be recognised as harmful myths
and traditions.
“No culture or custom should ever come at the expense of
girls’ health, rights or their future,” Lafoucriere said.
She, however, noted that change is now happening through
initiatives led by the Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with
UNICEF.
According to her, media involvement in the campaign shows
that the end of FGM in the country is both urgent and achievable.
Lafoucriere posited that female genital mutilation is never
a choice, but a violation that is inflicted on women and girls.
Earlier, in his remarks, Mr Rotimi Babalola, Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Information, said similar dialogue was organised for
Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, judiciary and security agencies in Oyo and
Lagos states.
“So today, it’s about the critical stakeholders here, the
media. Because we are the people that set the agenda for the society to follow.
So we are very, very critical concerning this FGM elimination campaign,” he
added.
Babalola, however, appealed that the media should do more
and put in extra efforts into the campaign so that all the seven states in the
UNICEF office totally eliminate FGM.
On her part, Aderonke Olutayo, Sexual and Reproductive/FGM
Consultant, advocated the involvement of parents and men in the campaign
against FGM in the country.
Olutayo posited that the involvement of the menfolk in the
campaign would go a long way in eliminating the practice in Nigeria.
According to her, men and boys are often excluded from FGM
dialogue. “Yet, men are key decision-makers in families. Lack of male champions
prolongs FGM acceptance.”
She attributed the barriers to reporting and prosecution of
FGM cases to fear of reprisal, lack of safe and confidential reporting
channels, minimal arrests and prosecutions in recent years as well as survivors
fear of stigmatisation and social exclusion.
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