Nwifuru seeks traditional, religious leaders’ support to end FGM

Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has sought the support of traditional institution, religious bodies and community leaders in the fight against to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Nwifuru, represented by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Chinedu Onah, made the call in Abakaliki, during a one-day conference on ending FGM.

The call, the governor said became necessary because of the significant influence these leaders have in community-led campaigns against harmful traditional practices.

The conference was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Better Health For Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced (BERWO) Foundation, founded by the governor’s wife.

He also urged the traditional and religious rulers to work with security agencies, Gender Baaed Violence (GBV) task force to tackle the menace.

The state government, he said, is ready to implement the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law as amended.

”Let the clergymen take the warning to worship centres. The traditional rulers should also let their subjects know that government has come with force to correct the primitive act of FGM,” Nwifuru said.

In her remarks, the govenor’s wife, Mary-Maudline, said that traditional rulers and local institutions were critical in mobilising communities and facilitating sensitisation forums to educate people on the dangers of FGM.

She said the summit is dedicated to address a practice that has robbed women, daughters of their dignity, health and future.

She invoked the VAPP law implementation plan to checkmate FGM offenders, persons aiding and abetting effectively.

“UNFPA has played a crucial role in ensuring that FGM is eradicated in the state.

“It requires community ownership, demand that veryone here take the message back to your people and enforce it with conviction.

“It is time we replace the narrative of silence with the language of protection, compassion and progress. A girl-child should be celebrated, educated and empowered not mutilated,” she said.

Mr Andrew Kirima, the Programme Coordinator and Head of office UNFPA, called for urgent and coordinated action to address FGM.

Kirima commended the state government through BERWO for the payment of counterpart fund contribution.

“With the contributions from government, we are able to scale up and reach more people within communities in areas of rolling back GBV, restoring dignity of survivals, repair fistula patients, empower young girls to live a quality life.

He said that UNFPA remained committed to supportting the state In achieving the three transformative results to include, zero preventable maternal deaths, for child spacing and zero GBV and harmful practices like FGM.

Mrs Goodness Mbaja, the State Public Relations Officer, GBV Task force, said that the VAPP law and implementation plan would guide the team to work effectively.