ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Government said the end of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is feasible and no longer a dream.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Flora Alatan, made the declaration today in Asaba, in an address to mark the 2022 International Day of Zero Tolerance on Female Genital Mutilation.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director for Women Affairs in the ministry, Mrs. Faith Okpohworho, said the state would spare no effort to stop the practice of genital mutilation in the state.
The commissioner speaking on the theme of this year’s celebrations; “No Time For Inaction, Fund and Act to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM),” pointed out that Delta State signed into law the Violence Against Person’s (VAP) Act on 28 July, 2020.
According to her, section 258 subsection 1 of the Act, circumcision or mutilation of the genitals of a girl or woman was prohibited and persons performing or engaging others to carry out FGM, commit an offence and liable on conviction to four years imprisonment, a fine of N500,000.00 or both.
Alatan appreciated all stakeholders in attendance, assuring them that together, the harmful practices could be brought to the forefront of their campaigns, especially with particular interest in the rural communities.
She thereafter inaugurated ‘Community Vanguards’ charged with the responsibilities of being change agents in sensitizing the various localities on the dangers of FGM practices.
The State Coordinator of Association against Child Sexual and Gender Based Violence (AACSAGBV), Dr. Mrs. Eris Ibi, appreciated the Ministry of Women Affairs Community and Social Development, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and others for their fight against child sexual and gender based violence.
Ibi elaborated expressed with delight how the Delta State child sexual and gender-based violence response referral network had been very functional and successful due to the collaboration with governmental agencies and other stakeholders.
She explained her Goal 5 Alliance Limited which comprised of only women led cooperative societies, groups and companies, was an affiliate of her AACSAGBV association that had a vision to accelerate economic empowerment for vulnerable women to achieve the Global Sustainable Development Goal Five.
The President of the Medical Women’s Association, Delta State Branch Dr. Mrs. Aghogho Akpe, highlighting the hazards of female circumcision, gave an interactive paper presentation on the theme of the day; “No time for inaction, fund and act to end female genital mutilation.”
Mrs Ogheneovo Edema from the Ministry of Environment gave a talk on keeping our environment clean while goodwill messages were given by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment Dr. Minnie Oseji, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Health, Dr Uche Okwe and Mr Ibe Okechukwu from the National Humans Rights Commission.
