The United Nations International Children’s Funds (UNICEF), in conjunction with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has intensified its efforts towards the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Ekiti State.
The consultant to UNICEF for Osun, Oyo and Ekiti States, Mrs. Aderonke Olutayo revealed that the target of the meeting was to validate a two years’ working plan that has been developed few months ago while assuring the communities and the selected local government areas of the state for the campaign will ensure that the fight against the FGM is sustained in the state.
Speaking further, she advocated on the need for concerted effort to eradicate FGM in different households, communities, local government areas of the state while recommending strict enforcement of laws against perpetrators of the evil act.
The UNICEF desk officer with the Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mr. Tolu Ogunniyi, also pointed out that the practice of FGM has drastically reduced through the efforts of UNICEF but expressed his fear over its sustainability if the donors decide to back out.
He further stated that the local government chairmen at the state have showed great commitment financially and morally to see to the eradication of FGM while assuring that by 2023, the FGM practice will be totally eradicated in the state.
Mr. Ogunniyi further explained that FGM is more of a cultural practice, stating that it was never practiced in the Bible or the Qur’an while asserting that it was a scheme by our fore-fathers to inflict fear on their wives and children.
Packaged By Emmanuel Adeniran
