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Edo: Gender Issues Ministry, UN Movement Advocate End To Female Genital Mutilation
In an effort to eradicate gender-based violence and female genital mutilation, Edo State’s Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, on Thursday launched an advocacy and awareness campaign in partnership with Edo State chapter of United Nations Women Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality (#HeForShe).
The awareness programme which held in Igoubazuwa, Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state, was part of activities to mark this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, which held February 6, every year.
The theme for year’s celebration is “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation”.
Speaking at the advocacy and sensitisation programme, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Ifueko Alufohai, said the programme is a ministry initiative that calls on stakeholders including religious and traditional leaders, health workers, law enforcement officers and others to partner with men and boys so as to foster their engagement to “accelerate the elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the voices of women and girls. “
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Mrs. Joy Irenonsen Ihensekhien, Director, Gender Issues of the ministry, added: “To promote the elimination of female genital mutilation, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and we must engage whole communities and focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.”
On his part, Comrade Ehis Agugu, Focal Person, United Nations Women Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality #HeForShe, Edo State chapter warned that if female genital mutilation is not eliminated, the practice will kill the female gender.
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“If we do not eliminate this practice, this practice could eliminate our women and girls. Therefore, we, the HeForShe Champions call on men and boys worldwide to join us in speaking out and stepping forward to end female genital mutilation, for the benefit of all,” he added.
Resource person at the event, Hdiza Okunrobo of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, enlightened the people present at the event what the law says about female genital mutilation and the punishment for offenders.
According to her, “it is not rape alone or beating the woman that is regarded as violence. Anything that causes pain to the woman is regarded as violence.”
Odionwere, market women, religious leaders present at the event were thereafter urged to go to their respective areas and enlighten their people on Gender-based violence and dangers associated with female genital mutilation.
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