The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Osun State in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Wednesday, conducted one day training for fifty (50) women as champions for the elimination of FGM in five selected communities in the state.
The training was to enlighten the understanding of community members about female genital mutilation and equipped participants on how to become champions towards the course of total abandonment of FGM practice in their communities.
Participants at the training which took place in Ayepe, Oke-ayo, Amunle, Ile Oba and Orita in Moro town of Ife North Local Government Area of the state, included; community-based organizations and Artisans
Participants across various CBOs such as traders, artisans, women community groups, and community health workers were engaged during the program.
Speaking at the program, Lagos state UNFPA Gender/FGM Analyst, Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji, expressed gratitude to the members of the community for their willingness to join the advocacy for zero tolerance of female genital mutilation in the state.
Ayodeji explained succinctly, the need for its total elimination due to the highest percentage of FGM practice in the state as of 2013 adding that with the collaboration of community members and stakeholders, the percentage has reduced to 45.8%.
She further encouraged the CBO to engage relevant stakeholders to achieve 0% of FGM practice by 2030.
Gender Desk Officer, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ms. Lola Adewale explained what it means to be a champion of FGM to the participants and encouraged everyone present to join hands with other stakeholders to end FGM in Osun state.
A representative from the Ministry of Health, Mrs Toyin Adelowokan, talked about the long and short-term consequences of FGM practice, using pictorial images to demonstrate the risk and side effects associated with the FGM practice.
In her words, the Executive Director, Initiative for Girl’s Right and Health Development Mrs Ayo Bello Awodoyin, clarified the legal consequences of Practicing FGM, using the VAPP Law to explain the provisional legal punishment attached to practising FGM as well as the intention to practice it.
Mrs Aduke Obelawo presented on how to provide counselling support for FGM survivors.
She discussed further on how health and psycho-social support can be provided to survivors of FGM, encouraging the audience to be bold in supporting fellow women to overcome the side effects of FGM.
Thereafter, the participants were trained on the usage of the reporting tools provided by UNFPA for data collection to prevent, track, and monitor perpetrators of FGM in their communities and for documentation of the number of people sensitised on the harmful practice.
The participants at the end of the training, pledged to advocate and end FGM in their various communities.
Also at the program was the President of the National Council of Women Societies, Dr Adeola Ayoola.
