The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has urged marriage registrars and religious organizations to counsel intending couples against subjecting their female children to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Dr. Oyebanji offered this advice in Ado Ekiti during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in Ekiti State.
The Governor’s wife emphasized the importance of this warning, stating that individuals subjected to mutilation under the guise of circumcision are at risk of contracting various diseases due to contamination. Additionally, they may experience physical and psychological trauma, along with other health complications.
“If you check UNICEF data, Ekiti is one of the top four states where Female Genital Mutilation is rife. If such cases are brought to you and you reject it, they will not have a choice than to go back home”, Dr Oyebanji said.
The First Lady who passionately appealed to parents not to abuse the rights of the girl-child through FGM, expressed hope that after this year’s celebration, the number of those engaging in the unwholesome practice would have drastically reduced.
She appealed to all stakeholders including, Marriage Registrars, Religious organizations, Traditional birth attendants and health personnel to give due attention to stoppage of Female Genital Mutilation.
“I reiterate that the fight against Female Genital Mutilation requires the cooperation of all ,so that the collective efforts to create a world free of the scourge could be achieved” Dr Oyebanji added.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi, in her earlier remarks said the theme of this year’s celebration “Her Voice Her Future: Investing in Survivor’s-Led Movement to End Female Genital Mutilation” and one-day training organised for stakeholders would create a forum to strengthen the bond of fighting the harmful practice.
In their goodwill messages, the Deputy speaker who double as the Chairperson, Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs Mrs Bolaji Olagbaju and the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani sought the collaboration of all stakeholders to end the menace.