The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has restated its commitment to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Imo.
UNICEF programme officer in Imo, Mr Chigozie Orjiako said this at a sensitization workshop on FGM organized by the agency in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Isu Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo on Monday.
Orjiako hailed the sixteen communities of the LGA for responding to UNICEF’s intervention strategies and accepting to discuss FGM with a view to ending it.
He said that UNICEF has recorded remarkable success in helping Nigerians some states to understand the dangers associated with FGM as well as end the practice.
He listed the states to include Osun where it recorded 77 per cent success, Ebonyi 74 per cent, Ekiti 72 per cent and Oyo 66 per cent.
” So far, we have recorded 68 per cent success in Imo and hopefully, Isu and other LGAs will respond to this call to end FGM in the state and Nigeria at large.
” Our intervention strategies include community engagements, capacity building and provision of health, legal and social services to girls and women in need as well as establishment of community surveillance systems “, he said.
Speaking, the UNICEF facilitator for FGM in Imo, Mr Vitus Ekeocha said that the workshop was in line with the
National Policy and Plan of Action on Elimination of FGM (2013-2017).
Ekeocha who is the immediate past NOA Director in Imo added that it was a part of a joint programme by the UNICEF and its support agencies such as NOA and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to eliminate FGM.
He added that an end to FGM will signal an end to its negative effects on the physical, mental and psychological well-being of the girlchild.
“Ending FGM will end its negative effects such as difficult childbirth, formation of keloids, dyspareunia, decreased sexual satisfaction and loss of blood leading to anemia.
” Others are disability due to fracture, shock, pain and trauma , leakage of urine or faeces as well as post traumatic stress disorder “, he said.
In a remark, the Traditional Prime Minister of Ezisu Autonomous Community, Mr Goddy Abamaji called on representatives of the 16 communities to unite to end FGM in the LGA for the ultimate good of the girlchild.
Also, Mr Cyril Dike of Ideato North LGA where the practice has already been abolished urged the people of Isu to end FGM as according to him, the dangers inherent in the practice far outweigh its benefits. (NAN)
