Mrs Makinde Calls For Collective Action Against Female Genital Mutilation

… As State Records 31.3% Prevalence Rate Despite Progress Made

… With Over 200 Communities Abandoning the Practice

The Wife of Oyo state Governor, Mrs Tamunomini Makinde has called on stakeholders to Step-Up efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the state.

Speaking at an event organized by the office of the First Lady Oyo state to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Mrs Makinde emphasized the need for collective action to end the practice.

According to Mrs Makinde, Female Genital Mutilation has no medical benefits and only causes harm to women and girls, leading to infectios, complications during childbirth, and even death.

Despite progress made in reducing FGM in Oyo state, Mrs Makinde acknowledged that more needs to be done.

She announced that over 200 communities in the state have abandoned the practice, and the state government has passed laws to prohibit FGM.

Mrs Makinde noted that the practices has continued for generations, leaving emotional and psychological scars that can last a life-time.

However, the prevalence rate remains at 31.3%, and Mrs. Makinde urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to reduce this rate to zero.

Mrs commended the Oyo state for its support in the fight against FGM and thanked facilitators for educating women on the dangers of the practice.

She called on traditional rulers, religous leaders, and local government chairpersons to step-up their efforts to end FGM.

Giving her presentation, Gender Desk Officer Primary Health care board, Mrs Balikis Olawoyin stressed that Female genital mutilation predisposes the girl child to untimely death, along with various health challenge ms, including bleeding.

Olawoyin downplayed hitherto notions that female genital mutilation prevents promiscuity, urging men and women alike to reject harmful traditions and cultures.

In his remarks, The National Vice Chairman, Association of Traditional Circumcisers, Mr Lateef Akintunde noted that the association had decided to no longer circumcise females.

He called on the state to empower the Circumcisers in the state after abandoning the Circumcision job in order not to be idle.

The event was part of activities marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, with the Theme “Step-Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances, Building Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation”.

Mrs Makinde’s call to action emphasized the need for sustained efforts to eradicate FGM in Oyo state and ensure a safer, healthier future for Women and girls.