By CHARLES IWUOHA

Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) has dropped from 74 percent to 53 percent in Ebonyi State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.

Analyzing the outcome of National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) in that respect, FGM Consultant with United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Imo, Ebonyi states, Mr. Benjami Mbakwem, noted that between 2013 and 2018 the survey showed that the percentage of women age 15-49 years as follows, National: 25% (2013) to 20% (2018) Ebonyi State: dropped from 74% (2013) to 53% (2018).

He said that findings by the National Demographic Health Survey revealed that Ebonyi State which before now recorded third in prevalence of FGM/C in Nigeria is now low in ranking.

Mbakwem spoke at the weekend during an orientation and advocacy meeting with Social services providers and inauguration of Social services providers to eliminate FGM initiatives held at San Diego Hotels, Abakaliki.

The meeting was organised by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with the support from UNICEF.

He further explained that the country has put in place policies, legislations and programmes to eliminate the practices .

“Apart from the nations policy and plans of actions of 2013 to 2017 to eliminate this harmful practices on women and girls, a new version for 2020 to 2024 is being processed.”

Evangelist Chukwuma Elom, Coordinator Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, during his presentation at the event said: “Some of the major challenges we met is that some defaulters in FGM, those caught violating the VAPP law could not be persecuted because the police said they don't have the law.

“There is a need to have a very strong sensitisation of the VAPP law among the implementing partners, and the law enforcement agencies.”

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