Health workers in Osun State have pledged to eradicate female circumcision, popularly known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practice in the state.
They made the pledge after a three-day training on “National Protocol for the Clinical Management of FGM Survivors and Provision of FGM Services”, facilitated by the Action Health Incorporated (AHI), with the support of UNFPA, at the Ministry of Health, Osogbo.
FGM involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is one of the most dangerous cultural practices in Nigeria.
The traditional belief that uncircumcised females tend to be promiscuous fuels the spread of the practice. To deter people from indulging in the practice, the Osun State has enacted the Anti-FGM Law.
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The Gender Focal Person at the state Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Lola Adewale, noted that the prevalence rate of the practice had reduced drastically in the state.
Adewale, while noting that the myth that uncircumcised females tended to be promiscuous was untrue, said the age-long cultural practice was detrimental to girls and women.
AHI’s Programme Officer, Ibukunoluwa Abraham, said the FGM practice was a menace rooted in gender inequality, hence that collaboration among stakeholders was needed to eradicate it.
A participant, Oludamilo Olaoye, said the training had deepened her knowledge of FGM and promised to support the advocacy to end the practice.Hameed Oyegbade
