CEHUWEI, communities in Surulere LGA reaffirm commitment to abandonment of female genital mutilation

CEHUWEI, communities in Surulere LGA reaffirm commitment to abandonment of female genital mutilation

Jeremiah OYELEKE

Communities in Surulere local government area of Oyo state have restated their stand by the abandonment of the female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).

This was the major highlight of a day-programme held Tuesday at Iresaadu the headquarters of the local government.

The programme themed, “Consensus building for FGM abandonment” and which came up under the aegis of Cedars for Human Welfare Initiative, CEHUWEI (a non-governmental organisation) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPAL), Oyo state government, and Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH) was organised for traditional rulers, security agents and other stakeholders selected from the pilot communities which included Idi-Ori, Idi-Ayin, Adeosun, Sadiwin and Olooro/Adudu.

Resource persons included Dr Olorunfunmiwa Oyetunde, programme coordinator CCPRH, Mrs. Omotayo Popoola (Oyo state Primary Healthcare Board) who represented Dr. M.B. Olatunji and Dr. Oluwabukola Olatunji, the Executive Director of CEHUWEI.

They in their separate speeches stressed that FGM/C, defined as “total or partial cutting or removal of the external female genitalia or clitoris,” had become illegal with the Oyo state said to have promulgated laws against it since 2015. Thus, it is emphasized that anyone caught still indulging in it would be prosecuted.

The evil effects of the practice were highlighted among which are vagina injuries, excessive loss of blood, denial of sexual pleasure, difficulty at childbirth, death and spread of diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C through use of common cutting instruments.

It was also remarked that it had no benefits, constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights regarding torture and other rights (civil and political) and so on.

While debunking the myth of promiscuity in uncircumcised female they urged deep sex education for the girl-child.

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“Rather than attributing tendency for a promiscuous living to non-removal of clitoris in female, FGM actually can ignite promiscuity because when others talk of the pleasure of sex a woman who was subjected to FGM would in order to seek the vaunted pleasure become liable to seeking different sex partners if she couldn’t find fulfilment with her husband or partner. Uncensored digital exposure (use of phone) among children, sexual intercourse indiscretion among couples, lack of sex education etc are thus more to be blamed,” Mrs. Popoola said.

Dr Oyetunde who spoke on the medico-legal aspects of FGM in Oyo state bordering on provisions of the laws and policies related to FGM disclosed the laws had come into effect since 2015 while emphasizing greater sensitisation and awareness.

The stakeholders on their resolution outlined by the CEHUWEI CEO, Dr Olatunji, consequently declared, “We, the traditional rulers of Idi-Ayin, Oloroabudu, Adeosun, Idi-Ori and Sadiwin communities representing the entire communities and law enforcement agencies in Surulere local government have recognised and considered the damaging impact of FGM/C on the health, dignity and wellbeing of our daughters and women. We also acknowledge that the practice adversely affects the entire community and create emotional, social and economic burden that undermine the overall stability and development of our communities.

“It is considered conclusively that FGM/C is not and cannot be of any benefits to our people and communities. We therefore resolve as follows having been fully enlightened on the inherent dangers of FGM/C, we have henceforth decided to abandon the practice. Two, that all members of our communities have worked for the realisation of the abandonment of the practice. Thirdly, that we shall table all lawful actions in collaboration with stakeholders to enforce the abandonment of the practice in our communities.”

The Iresadudu session was the third in the series having previously held “community dialogues” involving all members of the communities and training of field workers tagged “Champions” in each of the pilot communities.

In a chat with newsmen, Mrs. Popoola who earlier emphasized on the topic, “Overview and consequences of FGM admonished all those still indulging in the practice to desist to avoid prosecution.

“Everyone who still indulges in it if caught will be prosecuted so they should desist. Government has laws and policies against FGM in Oyo state and we are working towards the enforcement of these laws. If anyone is caught in the act, aiding, abetting or even performing FGM/C, that person will be prosecuted, so, l want to advise those still perpetrating the FGM to desist or face the full wrath of the law.”