Ekiti community renounces female genital mutilation

The people of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti south west local government area of Ekiti state have declared publicly the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti and chairman Ekiti state council of Traditional rulers, Oba Adebanji Alabi described the act as unlawful and promised that the community would no longer be involved in the act.

The monarch spoke in Ilawe-Ekiti during the event organised by the state chapter of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in conjunction with the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) on FGM elimination.

Oba Alabi said, ” I want to declare today on behalf of my people that we will no longer involve in the act of Female Genital Mutilation because it is highly despicable and unlawful.

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“Henceforth, it is now a taboo for anyone to do it to our kids. I am surprised that at this age people are still into this act that has sent many of our children into an early grave and even those that survived it are left impotent.”

Speaking, the state Director of NOA, Mr Dayo Famosaya regretted that the FGM was on the increase in the state especially Ilawe community, describing it as outdated act.

He assured that the agency would continue to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to put an end to the act in the state.

On her part, the UNICEF South West Consultant on FGM elimination, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo revealed that the act was a violation of the fundamental rights of girls and women which she said compromises their health and psychosocial well-being.

Mrs Olutayo while disclosing that Ekiti is the third in FGM prevalence rate in the country, advised the state government to demonstrate more political will in ending the act by setting aside budgetary provisions that would enhance advocacy.