We’re kicking out FGM practice, communities in Surulere LG declare

We’re kicking out FGM practice, communities in Surulere LG declare

Khalid ABRAHAM

Residents of five (5) communities in Surulere local government area of Oyo state have declared their decision to jettison the age-long practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

FGM is regarded as any procedure involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, often carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15. It is a common practice now seen as a violation of girls’ and women’s fundamental human rights and so for some years now, intensive campaigns are carried out by various bodies to educate people on why it is undesirable. Serious, long-term complications, haemorrhage, shock, infection, HIV transmission, urine retention, severe pain, infertility or complications during childbirth etc, are some of its identified side effects.

Mrs Ayodeji, UNFPA South West zonal coordinator addressing the audience at Iresaadu

It’s to further spread this knowledge that Cedars for Human Welfare Initiative (CEHUWEI), a non-governmental organization, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Center for Population and Reproductive Health (CCPRH) took the initiative to take the campaign against FGM to the Surulere communities of Mooro, Iresaadu, Ataapa, Atowoda and ElesinMeta.

An overview of the activities of CEHUWEI, which physically conducted the exercise, included such aspects as “community entry and mobilization; selection and training of 10 champions from each community (who will continue the campaign); community dialogues in each community; consensus building with community leaders and law enforcement agencies,” according to a statement by the NGO.

The aftermath therefore is the resolve by the communities to discontinue the practice leading to a public declaration termed ”FGM abandonment.”

When asked by UNFPA and CCPRH officials who attended the final stage highlighted by the public declaration held at the Iresaadu Community Hall, the people of the five communities numbering over 150 chorused in the affirmative, declaring, “Yes! We are abandoning FGM in our communities.”

Mrs Uzodimma Ayodeji, UNFPA South West zonal officer, accompanied by Miss Bello Faith (a media advocate with UNFPA), in a goodwill message, charged the communities to do more as advocates of FGM abandonment, assuring, “good feedback will bring about more support from the organization.”

Also admonishing the gathering Mr. Emmanuel Yelotan of CCPRH expressed appreciation to the people for their efforts while seeking further cooperation.

The Executive Director of CEHUWEI, Oluwabukola Olatunji similarly thanked the communities for their “support, commitment and understanding during the processes of the intervention.”

The Balogun of Iresaadu, Baales of Mooro, Ataapa, Atowoda and ElesinMeta, on behalf of their communities made the public declaration of the abandonment of FGM, assuring, “we will be steadfast and hold on to the pledge of FGM abandonment.”

Certificates were later presented just as the “FGM Abandonment Signpost” erected at Iresaadu as a commemorative symbol was commissioned by Mrs Ayodeji.