United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on state governments to develop political will in implementation of policies about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM.)
The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Enugu Ibrahim Conteh who made the call at a briefing in Enugu to announce the 2019 International day for Female Genital Mutilation/cutting organised by FGN/UNICEF of co-operation (2018-2022) in collaboration with Broad casting cooperation Abia (BCA) said that some state governments should put up and implement policies to stop FGM.
He explained that some of the state governments have good policies and laws but that they have been slow in follow-up and implementation of those policies.
He however noted that there have been recorded successes in curtailing the menace is some states it was highly practiced such as Ebonyi and Imo and called for more programmes and efforts to put it to an end.
The UNICEF boss called on the Media to step up in their campaign by increasing the awareness on FGM in the rural areas.
Gonteh further maintained that though there have been political wills by the government on this insisting that it will amount to nothing if the political wills are not translate into action.
According to him most states have passed FGM into law but until now no one have been prosecuted or jailed pleading with the both private and government at all levels to join hand with UNICEF to totally eradicate FGM in the country.
Conteh noted that the practice of FGM remain a social norm that was being fuelled by myths, preconceptions and diverse ignorance about social expectations adding FGM could be harmful to woman’s reproduction rights and health challenges by puting her life at risk and is harmful to not only to her but also to her unborn child.
“As you may be award now, FGM is one of the most harmful prevailing practices known to the human race since the end of the era of human practices like human sacrifice, killing of twins and slavery. The harmful practice of FGM has endured generations, tolerated and in certain ways promoted due to multiple factors of preconceptions and pluralistic ignorance” he said.
Addressing participants the Communication Officer, UNICEF, Enugu Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe said that the objective of the programme was to create public awareness on female genital mutilation with the media being a driving force by spreading the message to the public.
According to her “the programme is an avenue where all stakeholders come together especially those from the media to deliberate on issues affecting the awareness on FGM, provide solutions and assist both physically and mentally girl child.
Other resource persons spoke on child rights reporting and ethical response from the media. About 20 journalists from both print and electronic Media houses attended the briefing.
Amauchechukwu Anukwuoji
