FGM has drastically reduced in Ebonyi ― Umahi

The wife of Ebonyi State governor, Rachel Umahi, has lauded the reduction of female genital mutilation (FGM) and cutting in the state.

According to Umahi, the drastic reduction of FGM in the state was possible through various policy implementations and interventions of the state government.

She disclosed this during the official launch of the Ebonyi State Gender-Based Violence Taskforce and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with law enforcement agencies, Ministries of Justice and Women Affairs and the State Gender-Based Violence Taskforce Team at Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki.

Mrs Umahi was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Deborah Chinwe Okah, who also frowned on gender-based violence affecting women. 

She, however, described gender-based violence as “the most pervasive human rights violations in Nigeria.

“Gender-based violence (GBV) is the most pervasive human rights violation in Nigeria and FGM as a form of GBV is widely practised in southern Nigeria with Ebonyi State, having the second-highest number after Ekiti State.

“But the scourge was drastically reduced through the timely intervention of her Excellency Chief Rachal Ogbonnaya Umahi with the support of  UNFPA by publicly declaring against the practice in the state.”

In her remarks, the Coordinator of GBV task force in Ebony State, Faith Vincent Nwanchor expressed the readiness of the task force team to ensure that those suspected to be involved in the practice of GBV were brought to book.

According to her, the launch of the Ebonyi State Gender-Based Violence Taskforce has emboldened the members to be more proactive towards stamping out violence against women in different parts of the state.

“We are happy that all our implementing partners are here. I want to appreciate every one of us.”

The programme is powered by Economic and Social Empowerment of Rural Communities (ESERC), with support from EU-UN spotlight initiative and Ministry of Women Affairs Development and other implementing partners. 

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