Why we stopped female genital mutilation – Practitioners

The battle to end the practice of female genital mutilation in Osun State has received a boost as local practitioners have declared that they have realised the danger of the practice and voluntarily accepted to stop it.

Some of the practitioners from different communities in the state, who  spoke with Eko Trust, said they have  moved  to other businesses such as farming and trading.

The communities include Iragbiji, Aagba, Egbeda in Boripe local government and Ilobu, Erin-Osun and Iludun in Irepodun local government.

In Aagba, Boripe local government, Alhaji Alagbalaanu Olookola who has been circumcising girls for decades said he was not engaged in the practice again since he realized that it subjects the children to danger.

Alagbalaanu said: “The government officials and people from Action Health Incorporated enlightened us on the dangers  of female circumcision and I and others in this community and other villages around here agreed to stop the practice. Now, I’m concentrating on my farm instead.”

In Ilobu, Irepodun local government, Pa Jimoh Oloola, who had already trained his children and at the verge of bequeathing the practice to them, said he has also realised the dangers in the practice and has warned his children not to engage in it anymore.

“I inherited the job from my father. He trained me to become one and I have also trained my children as  well  but when we were told that it is not a good practice, we have stopped it.”

Also, Mr Ramoni Olagunju Alabelewe in Ilobu, Irepodun LG and and Mr Rafiu Sonibare in Egbeda community in Boripe LG, said they have dumped the practice of female circumcision completely, adding that they have also destroyed the tools they used for it so as to prevent their children from inheriting them.

At a public declaration by the communities held at the palaces of Aragbiji of  Iragbiji, Oba Abdul Rasheed Olabomi and the Olobu of Ilobu Ashiru Olatoye, the practitioners publicly denounced the practice.

To formally confirm this, the traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders, leaders of market women and youth leaders as well as other stakeholders in the communities attended the declaration event.

The representatives of the communities signed documents, prepared by officials of the State Ministry of Health to further reinforce their commitment to abandon the practice.

Speaking at the event, the Program officer of Action Health Incorporated, Akpunonu Amaka Cynthia commended the practitioners  and the entire people of the communities for the feat.

She noted that female genital mutilation/circumcision which involves the partial or total removal of external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons is horrible and very dangerous to the health of the girls.

She said: “Declaring abandonment of FGM/C at a public platform, in front of witnesses, holds the communities accountable to their daughters, families, neighbours, local and national governments, bordering countries, and the international community at large.”

“To this end, the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with Action Health Incorporated (AHI), has implemented a number of activities including education, sensitization and mobilization across various LGAs in Osun State.

“When the communities agreed to abandon FGM/C, the social norm shifts. And this community-led collective action allows the review of pre-existing social sanctions. It also creates a collective effort in spreading the message of FGM/C abandonment.”

She commended the people of the state for stopping the practice of FGM and assured that Action Health Incorporated and its partners would not relent until the practice of FGM is completely banished.