Perturbed by the persistence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), in some states of the Federation, UNICEF has cautioned Doctors and Nurses and other health care providers who indulge in medicalization of the practice (FGM) in public, private clinics, at homes and elsewhere to desist forthwith or risk prosecution.
According to the UNICEF CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST, ENUGU FIELD OFFICE, -VICTOR ATUCHUKWU it is estimated that about 200 million girls/women globally are living with the consequences of FGM while the Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS 2018) Research estimated that the percentage of girls and women that had undergone FGM stood at 20% for women aged 15-46 and 19.2% for girls aged 0-14 years.
ATUCHUKWU gave the clarifications yesterday at 3-Day Training on “LIFE SKILL & FGM ELIMINATION FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS (IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL) TO ENHANCE THEIR CAPACITY TO BECOME CHANGE AGENTS IN THEIR FAMILIES”.
He denounced the culture of FGM as unethical, stressing that it runs counter to stipulations by the World Medical Association which requires health professionals to swear an oat not to inflict any harm to their patients.
The programme which was held at Isinweke and Urualla Civic Center for the 23 and 31 autonomous communities in the Ihitte/Uboma and Ideato North Council Areas of Imo state respectively under the AUSPICES of the UNFPA-UNICEF JOINT PROGRAMME ON ELIMINATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: Accelerating Change was organized by the State Ministry of Gender Affairs & Vulnerable Group with support from UNICEF.
“Health staff in Imo state and else where in Nigeria are forbidden from performing FGM. Although, FGM being performed by a medical professional in a clinic or a hospital may reduce some of the risks of the operation to a certain extent, it does not take into consideration, the reasons why the girl is on the operating table in the first place”.
Dwelling extensively on the health complications associated with FGM, ATUCHUKWU added that UNICEF would intensify measures on the enforcement of laws that ban the practice such as “the Child Right Law of Imo state 2009 (section 25) and the Child Marriage and Female circumcision law (2000) which are important to protect women and children.
Admitting that the law is an important step to ending FGM, the UNICEF Chief explained that there is still much work to be done through involving affected communities to increase awareness of it.
He enjoined communities who still indulge in the act to engage in conversation, education and awareness raising to emphasis that.
IDARA EFFIONG, REBECCA UGWUANYA – all UNICEF Resources Persons who gave detailed explanations on Gender Based Violence, Child Marriage and their forms, consequences, incest, rape, skill based health education, refusal skill, sexual abuse and types as well as life skills, decisions and the implications of making wrong decisions advised the girls to always been conscious of the emotional changes during adolescence.
The duo enumerated 4 types of FGM and their disastrous implications explained that FGM does not stop promiscuity among women and girls even as they hailed some communities in the state that had abandoned the inhuman culture.
The 3-day programme which featured lectures on menstruation and menstrual hygiene, fertilization, pregnancy, its effects on girls and boys, myths and misconceptions about pregnancy, factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy in addition to sexually transmitted infections, with such aprons as “together let us End FGM and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities” end VAC, VAWG, every child deserves an identity and END cutting Girls”, also attracted questions and answers from both the participants and the resource persons.
