The Ebonyi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending female genital mutilation (FGM), declaring that the harmful practice has no place in modern society.
The commitment was made on Friday by the wife of the state governor, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, at the Ebonyi State Women’s Leadership Summit on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Abakaliki.
The summit, held at the Women Development Centre, was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO).
The event brought together wives of traditional rulers, women religious leaders, civil society organisations, government officials and survivors to strengthen efforts to eradicate the practice.
Addressing participants, Mrs Nwifuru described FGM as a gross violation of human rights that inflicts severe physical pain, lifelong emotional trauma and serious health complications on girls and women.
She said the state government would intensify grassroots sensitisation campaigns until the practice is completely eradicated.
“Our youths should know that FGM is a complete ‘no-no’. We are going to scale up awareness across all corners of the state,” she said.
She directed all local government chairpersons to produce awareness jingles in local languages and circulate them across communities and social media platforms.
“I will also continue speaking on radio stations about the dangers of FGM. If, after all these efforts, anyone is found guilty, I will hold the local government chairpersons responsible,” she added.
Mrs Nwifuru also urged members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to strengthen legislation and advocacy against FGM, stressing that every girl deserves to grow up in a safe and protective environment.
Speaking at the summit, the World Health Organisation’s representative, Douglas Ogbueli, warned that FGM leaves survivors with lifelong physical and psychological consequences.
“Female genital mutilation leads to lifelong trauma. I encourage everyone here to spread this message to their various communities so that together we can eliminate this practice once and for all,” he said.
A representative of the United Nations Population Fund reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the state in its campaign against FGM.
“We are ready to deepen our partnership with Ebonyi women, support survivors in seeking justice, and ensure that no woman lives in fear but instead thrives in a free society,” the representative said.
The summit ended with the presentation of a communiqué by the coordinator of the Ebonyi State Gender-Based Violence Taskforce, Faithvin Nwanchor.
In the declaration, stakeholders, survivors and community leaders pledged to strengthen enforcement of the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons Law, 2018, as amended in 2022, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and protect the rights and dignity of every girl child in the state.
