Oyo still ranks high on FGM

A group, One Life Initiative for Human Development, has stressed the need for enforcement of the child health right in Oyo State to stem female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice said to be detrimental to the wellbeing of the girl child.

Speaking at an advocacy visit to Ibadan North Local government, the Programme and Media Manager, One Life Initiative for Human Development, Sola Fagarusi said this was important because Oyo State was among states with high incidence of female genital mutilation in Nigeria.

Fagarusi, who was represented by Rachael Arowolo, puts FGM cases in Oyo State at 70 per cent, with most cases done in local governments such as Kajola, Oyo West, Ogbomoso North and South, Ibarapa and Akinyele.

She said there was the need for increased involvement of government and the community to create awareness on the negative impact of this traditional practice on the girl-child and the society.

“Even young people do not know why FGM is being performed,” she said.

She, therefore, carvassed support from the Local government council boss in the full implementation and enforcement of the child’s rights act, adding that from interactions with people, nobody is being persecuted for mutilating their daughters.

The Director, Primary Health Care, Ibadan North Local Government Council, Dr Monday Famakin, said circumcised women in later life come down with complications.

According to him, it could result to sexual disagreement with the husband as well as problem with delivery, infection and Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF).

Dr Famakin noted that Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey in 2013 indicated that FGM was also highly prevalent in Ibadan North Local government, adding that it is a problem that requires strong political and leadership support to tackle.

Chairman, Advocacy Network of Nigeria, Alhaji Salahuddeen Busairi, declared that incidence of FGM was high in six wards in the council, which compromise predominantly indigenous Ibadan people.

Although many practitioners attribute FGM to Islam, Alhaji Busairi said there is nothing of such in the Koran, calling for increased collaboration with civil service organisations to stop the practice.

Chairman, Ibadan North Local Government, Mr Basiru Adegoke, said the council was ready to collaborate with the body to tackle the problem and that there must be increased awareness on the demerits of FGM to the girl-child

According to him, there was also the need for persuasive approach to ensure parents and perpetrators of the act stop it rather than going underground.

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Female Genital Mutilation: Tears that won’t dry