Fighting female genital mutilation in South-East

IN Southeast geo-political zone, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been a serious concern to many people within and outside Igbo enclave.

Surprisingly, despite opposition against the cultural practice, the female circumcision has continued to rear its head in some communities in Igbo land.

Nigerian Tribune investigation revealed that the mutilation of female genital are still prevalent in Ebonyi State even when there is no medical reasons to support such practice.

To one Ebere Iduma from Ezza Community in Ebonyi State, it is a long tradition and cultural practice to circumcise females as she claims that it reduces promiscuity.

“Our forefathers did it and we must continue to do it. When a girl is circumcised, she cannot follow man anyhow” Madam Iduma said in an interview.

The position of Lady Iduma cuts across many communities in Igbo land, hence the local and international bodies are wagging war against the practice.

Little wonder the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) while marking this year’s World International Day, decried the high rate of Female Genital Mutilation in some parts of the country, urging governments at all levels as well as  civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders to join hands to end the practice.

Speaking to newsmen as part of their activities to mark the forthcoming world International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the Head of UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Charles Nzuki, said FGM had serious negative consequences and impact on the girls.

Nzuki said that UNICEF was supporting governments both at the federal and state levels and also working with civil society organisations to mobilise stake holders to end female genital mutilation in Nigeria.

“Basically, on a local data in Nigeria, we have very high prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in a number of states, the highest is in Osun, which has 77 per cent, followed by Ebonyi state with 74 per cent according to the Nigerian Demographic health survey, other states with very high rate include Ekiti, Imo in South East of Nigeria and Oyo”, he said.

He emphasised, “Seven or even close to eight out of 10 women have had FGM, hence UNICEF is working with government to eradicate it as a result of its harmful effect on women, noting that UNICEF saw it as a violation of women’s right and the right of girls”

“You will recall that last year the wife of the president launched a campaign to end female genital mutilation in the country and UNICEF has been working with the state governments.”

“They are quit a number of harmful effects of FGM on women especially on  regard to their health. It is a major contributor of maternal mortality rate, It causes severe bleeding ,sometimes resulting to death, other health problems including cysts, infection, infertility as well as complications among others.