NOA, UNICEF partner to end female genital mutilation in Ekiti

The National Orientation Agency, (NOA), and the United Nations Children Endowment Fund, (UNICEF), are collaborating to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Ekiti State.

Speaking at Orin Ekiti, Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti State on Thursday during a public declaration for the elimination of FGM in the town, the UNICEF Consultant for Oyo, Ekiti and Osun states, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo, described the practice as harmful to womenfolk, adding that there was need to save female children from the pains being experienced after their genital had been mutilated.

The international organisation lamented that the practice had caused a lot of deaths for millions of African children adding that Ekiti ranked third in the country in FGM.

She said the practice had caused a lot of havoc to female children due the incidences of blood loss and convulsion always suffered by victims.

Olutayo, who signed a pact with the community on behalf of the UNICEF, said UNICEF will set up community Champions and Surveillance Committee in the town to monitor compliance and report to the international agency.

The Regent of Orin Ekiti, Mrs. Theresa Dada, signed on behalf of the community, signaling the town’s commitment to prohibit the practice in the area.

The UNICEF boss said: “The practice had been found to be causing deaths of female children apart from infringing on their rights. It is wrong to take away rights of female children just because this mutilation was being done when they have no capacity to fight for themselves.

“Our target in UNICEF is to ensure that we must stop the practice before year 2030, so we need your support. We are not going to leave you to this public declaration, we are going to monitor situations here and ensure that you comply”, she stated.