UNICEF urges Imo communities to stop FGM
NAN-HG-9
Mutilation
Owerri, Jan. 24, 2017 (NAN) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on communities in Imo to step up surveillance against cases of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).
Mr Benjamin Mbakwem, FGM/C Consultant for Imo and Ebonyi states on Child Protection Section UNICEF, Enugu Office, made the call during the opening ceremony of a two-day training of community champions on abandonment of FGM/C on Tuesday in Owerri.
Mbakwem regretted that Imo has 68 per cent of women currently living with the effects of FGM/C in Nigeria and ranked fourth after Osun, Ebonyi and Ekiti as states with the highest cases of FGM/C in Nigeria.
He noted that Nigeria is among 29 nations where FGM/C still take place, saying “FGM/C is a major cause of prolonged labour during childbirth and VVF’’.
NAN reports that the two-day training of FGM/C Community Champions was organised for more than 100 participants drawn from five local government areas of Imo in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Mbakwem said seven out of 10 women in the live with FGM/C, saying that is why the problem remains a concern for UNICEF.
He said that eradication of FGM/C by 2030 was listed among the SDG goals, saying communities in Imo must work towards achieving the total eradication of the act in the country.
“More than 90 per cent of FGM/C victims suffer Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF); a situation where a woman leaks urine due to cuttings resulting from FGM/C.
“The practice is a major cause of Caesaraen Section (CS) during childbirth because of complications during the FGM/C results to stillbirth,’’ he said.
He explained that the health risks of FGM/C also includes haemorrhage (excessive bleeding), pain, shock, infection, genital tissue swelling, and death could be avoided if the people should stop the act.
Mbakwem, who said that the Violent Against Persons (VAP) Act recently passed by the National Assembly condemned FGM/C, warned that those caught in the act were liable to prosecution.
“It is a crime to cut any girl or woman in Imo State because Part III, Section 25 (1) of the Child Rights Law states that no person shall cause a child to be subjected to female genital mutilation,” he said.
The state Director of NOA, Mr Vitus Ekeocha, said that participants were drawn from 10 communities of Ehime Mbano; Ideato North; Ihitte/Uboma; Owerri Municipal; and Owerri West Local Government Areas of Imo.
Ekeocha described FGM/C as a very harmful practice with several health and psychological consequences on girls and women, noting that its effects on the reproductive rights of women; emotional stability and wellbeing are grave.
He explained that the practice, which dates back to decades, was based on ignorance and myths that it enhances chastity and preservation of women and girls for marriage.
He said the training would equip participants to fight against the practice and in turn build capacity of the people on other dangers with the practice.
Mrs Caroline Manuji and Mrs Theresa Ewelike, both participants from Umungwuma and Ehime Mbano, respectively, told NAN that they were involved in the practice of FGM/C, but assured that with the new knowledge they would refrain from the act.
They equally promised to extend all that they were taught to people from the communities especially that FGM/C has nothing to do with promiscuity by girls and women. (NAN)
FEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola