UNICEF expresses worry over increased female genital mutilation in Nigeria

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified investment in girl-child education, media engagement, and community sensitisation as means of ending the practice of female genital mutilation.

The UNICEF Enugu Field Officer, Mrs Maureen Zubie-Okolo, stated this at a zonal media dialogue briefing on quality and increased reportage against female genital mutilation and violence against children in South East.

• Crisis rocks APM over N27m party money, BoT suspended
• Inside FG’s move to launch new multibillion naira satellite

The programme was organised in conjunction with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State in commemoration of the 2022 International Day of Zero Tolerance to female genital mutilation holding today with the theme, “Accelerating Investment to End Female Genital Mutilation.” 

Zubie-Okolo said, “The female genital mutilation has no health benefits – it’s deeply harmful to girls and women both physically and psychologically, It’s a practice that has no place in our society today and must be ended as many Nigerian communities have already pledged to do.”

Director General, Abia State Broadcasting Corporation, Anyanso Anyanso, said that media had a big role to play in sensitisation to end the practice, 

Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Field Office Enugu, Victor Atuchukwu, said contrary to the expectation that the practice would cut sexual appetite, the practice rather diminishes the dignity, self respect and worth of the female.