Laws alone not sufficient to fight FGM, says Uzodinma

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has said that laws prohibiting the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are not enough to stop the practice in the country.

The governor stated this at a workshop to mark the year 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Owerri, on Thursday.

Uzodinma who spoke on this year’s theme: “Stepping Up The Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM” regretted that Imo was the state with the highest prevalence of FGM in the southeast.

He, therefore, called for immediate domestication of the campaign against FGM by town union leaders, other grassroots leaders and parents to take ownership of the campaign and rise in unison against FGM.

“FGM is psychologically dehumanising; we must condemn the practice and make a pledge that we go to work and ensure that by the time we convene here next year, zero tolerance for FGM will have become a reality in Imo.

Also speaking, the governor’s wife, Mrs Chioma Uzodinma, described the girl child education as a potent weapon that could enable the female folk become agents of change.

The governor ‘s wife called for mentorship programmes to address immediate and long term consequences of FGM, adding that Imo had determined to face the challenge and lead by example.

She thanked UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund for their willing, healthy partnerships while calling for more holistic engagements around FGM.

It was reported that the UNICEF’s Head of Enugu Field Office, had on Wednesday identified Imo as the highest prevalence of FGM in the southeast, and called for efforts to change the narrative.