By Uchenna Ugwu

The USAID Momentum Country and Global Leadership (USAID – MOMENTUM) has engaged stakeholders on transformative approach to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with supports to manage complications from the act.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C), is observed every February 6, to mark achievements so far and create more awareness with the theme: “Partnership with men and boys to transform social and gender norms to end FGM”.

The ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with USAID – MOMENTUM, Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, is funded by USAID

Mrs Nneka Chijioke-Dikeocha, the Ebonyi State Team Leader of Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL), said that the theme of the day was a call for more action to the state government, partners and other relevant stakeholders for effective eradication of the practice in the state.

Chijioke-Dikeocha added that the organisation is working with local partners and community leaders on the approach to end Gender-Based Violence against women and girls.

She maintained that it would be a gradual process in changing mind sets and perceptions of the public over cultural belief that FGM is a norm.

The USAID representative said it was a call to action to state government, partners, ministries and the media to eliminate the trend.

“We call on all to support and partner for effective eradication. We also call on men and boys to help speak out for female to stop the trend.

“We are sensitising the public to promote the rights of women and girls in Ebonyi,” Chijioke-Dikeocha said.

The Senior Clinical Associate, USAID-MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics, Dr Chinekwu Osondu, said the organization is supporting and helping to manage complications from FGM.

Osondu said that the project has about 308 community volunteers working in four local government areas of the state.

She said the volunteers moved from house to house to counsel and train people on FGM, gender-based violence, and fistula, among other violations against women and girls and its consequences.

The senior clinical associate added that the volunteers are also helping to identify cases that could be referred to health facilities for proper management.

She assured that the organisation is ready and available to continue collaboration with other partners and the ministry of women affairs to ensure that the practice is stamped out.

“We have actually seen lots of cases on FGM,” Osondu said.

Mrs Deborah Okah, the Ebonyi Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said it is observed that the act is now practiced among peer groups.

Okah, represented by Mrs Florence Nwali, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said the group influenced their age mates to carry out the act.

“FGM is still done in secret because some people believe it is part of their culture.

“This was why we called a press conference to collaboration and end this carnage of FGM,” Okah said.

She said that the Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, the pet project of wife of the state Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi, had fought and is still fighting to eliminate the practice.

Mr Chukwuma Elom, the Coordinator of the Foundation, called on the judiciary, police, partners, the media and others stakeholders to collaborate with the foundation to end the practice.

Elom said the foundation had launched an amended Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 003, 2022, online for justice and prosecution against perpetrators.

The Coordinator said that there is the need to move from domestication of the VAPP law to effective implementation to drive the change needed.

He commended efforts and supports from the USAID, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund, among other organisations, to end the act.

“Our targets now is men and boys to help stop the act against our sisters. It a criminal offence, justice is alert.

“We advise perpetrators to stay away from the practice or risk prosecution,” Elom said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Marcelina Ibina, Director in the ministry, stated that the trend is a form of violence against women and girls.

She said that public sensitisation was to promote rights of women and girls in the society.

Mr Benedict Essong, Project Manager, UNFPA, said that the practice is a crime against women and humanity which needed to be eradicated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was a joint programme by international partners, sponsored by USAID, to eliminate FGM.

NAN also reports that the programme featured a road walk by staff of the ministry, national human rights, Nigeria Red cross society, among other stakeholders. (NAN)

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