Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has said that the federal government will not rest untill it stamps out the harmful practices if breast ironing among others meted out on young girls in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), and the nation at large.

The minister stated this while on an advocacy and sensitization visit to Garki Chiefdom, Abuja Municipal Council with her senior management staff.

She expressed worry over the the unwholesome practice of ironing the breast of teenage girls residing at Kpaduma and Pygba communities of the FCT, citing damaging and health impacts of such harmful practices on girls and nursing mothers.

Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye condemned the unwholesome practice and assures that federal government will scale up efforts at eradicating the ‘barbaric act’ with attendant negative effects on the welfare of the girl child.

According to a statement signed by her Special Assistant, Media, Ohaeri Joseph, the practice falls among gender- based violence. She solicited the partnership of the Garki District Heads and other local authorities towards eradicating the practice as it negates the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at improving the welfare of women and the girl child.

“Breast ironing, which is being practised on some young girls as traditional rites meant to prevent early male attraction, rape among others, are practices that are totally unacceptable and form part of condemnable and harmful practices against the female gender which must be stamped out” she said.

The minister pointed that empirical studies have shown that such traditional practices are behind times hence, behoves the Chiefdom, religious leaders as well as the government to ensure that such rites become a thing of the past.

“This age-long tradition could lead to cancer on the affected girls as it is capable of leading to nipple challenges in their future life as well as the production of sour breast milk for their infants which is dangerous to the growth and development of new born babies”

She said intensive enlightenment campaigns and sensitization will be carried out in the affected communities through town criers and other forms of information dissemination so that no one will give the excuse of “I was not informed” and after that, any parent who is found wanting will have to face the mobile court for appropriate sanctions as “every child is a government’s child”.

Responding, the District Head of Garki Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, (HRH), ambassador Emmanuel Gade, assured that the Council will support the efforts of government towards bringing an end to the tradition and other forms of harmful practices against the female gender.

He also appreciated the minister and promised that the Council will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to further underscore their readiness to stamp out the age-long harmful practice against the girl child.

High point of the event was the presentation of gifts to the communities by the minister and conferment of Sarauniyan Mata of Pygba, (Queen of Pygba women), Community on the minister by HRH Majesty, Chief Gade. (Saturday Guardian)

•Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (3^rd right) during an advocacy and sensitization visit to Garki Chiefdom, Abuja

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