SOS On Female Genital Mutilation In Edo

In a distressing revelation from Etsako West local government area of Edo State, Nigeria, a community practice involving Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has come to light, shedding a harsh spotlight on the physical and emotional toll it inflicts on victims and their families. Reverend Father Francis, a local clergyman, stepped forward as the narrator of this troubling account, urging an end to this barbaric tradition.

The victim, Mr. Solomon Okhumhode Eshiemomoh, hails from Afabokha quarters of Irekpai village. His family’s painful experience with FGM became tragically evident when their first daughter was a victim of the practice. Now, the community, adhering to a deeply ingrained norm, is pressuring the Eshiemomoh family to subject their second daughter, Tiffany Ainoghena Eshiemomoh to the same dangerous ritual.

Female Genital Mutilation is a practice that has persisted for generations in certain communities, often causing severe health complications and even death. In Irekpai village, it is considered customary for female children to undergo circumcision at the tender age of three. Non-compliance with this tradition, as seen in the Eshiemomoh family’s case, carries the harsh penalty of excommunication from the community.

Mr. Solomon Okhumhode Eshiemomoh, fearing for the life and well-being of his daughter, has taken the drastic step of fleeing for their safety. The psychological trauma inflicted upon the family is palpable, and the consequences of refusing to conform to this harmful practice have left them ostracized.

Rev. Father Francis, deeply moved by the Eshiemomoh family’s plight, has taken it upon himself to bring their story to the attention of the public. He emphasizes the urgent need for awareness, education, and intervention to break the chains of tradition that perpetuate such harmful practices.

In addition to narrating the family’s ordeal to the press, Rev. Father Francis has extended support to the Eshiemomoh family in various ways, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding during these challenging times. Rev. Father Francis is a missionary with assigned to the local community in Etsako West, Edo State.

The Eshiemomoh family’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against harmful cultural practices, and the collective responsibility to safeguard the rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of gender.