UNICEF restates commitment to end FGM in Imo

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has restated its commitment to end injurious Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Imo. 

UNICEF programme officer in the state, Mr Chigozie Orjiako, said this at a sensitisation workshop on FGM organised by the agency in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Isu Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo on Monday.  

Orjiako commended the 16 communities that constituted the LGA for responding to UNICEF’s intervention strategies and accepting to discuss FGM with a view to ending it.  He said that UNICEF had recorded remarkable success in helping some states to understand the dangers associated with FGM as well as ending the practice.  

He listed the states to include Osun where it recorded 77 per cent success; Ebonyi, 74 per cent; Ekiti, 72 per cent and Oyo 66 per cent. “So far, we have recorded 68 per cent success in Imo and hopefully, Isu and other LGAs will respond to this call to end FGM in the state and Nigeria at large.  

“Our intervention strategies include community engagements, capacity building and provision of health, legal and social services to girls and women in need as well as establishment of community surveillance systems,” he said.  

UNICEF facilitator for FGM in Imo, Mr Vitus Ekeocha said that the workshop was in line with the National Policy and Plan of Action on Elimination of FGM (2013-2017). 
Ekeocha, who is the immediate past NOA director in Imo, noted that the sensitisation was a part of a joint programme by the UNICEF and its support agencies such as NOA and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to eliminate FGM.He added that an end to FGM would signal an end to its negative effects on physical, mental and psychological well-being of the girl child.“Ending FGM will end its negative effects such as difficult childbirth, formation of keloids, dyspareunia, decreased sexual satisfaction and loss of blood leading to anemia. 

“Others are  disability due to fracture, shock, pain and trauma, leakage of urine or faeces as well as post traumatic stress disorder,” he said.  In a remark, the Traditional Prime Minister of Ezisu Autonomous Community, Chief Goddy Abamaji called on representatives of the 16  communities to unite to end FGM in the local government for the ultimate good of the girlchild.

Also, Mr Cyril Dike of Ideato North LGA where the practice had already been abolished urged the people of Isu to end the practice saying that the dangers inherent in the practice far outweighed its benefits. (NAN)