KWSG Warns Against Female Genital Mutilation
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Ministry of Social Development has embarked on sensitisation tour of the 16 Local Government Areas to educate the people on the implications of female circumcision.
The sensitisation tour was organised by the Ministry, in collaboration with Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC) and with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Speaking during the sensitisation tour, the Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, PhD, warned the people who are still engaging in the practice of female circumcision to desist or face legal action, advising the public to adequately secure the future of their female children, as “there are long term disadvantages of female genital mutilation”.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Social Welfare of the Ministry, Elder Kayode James, explained that genital mutilation can cause low libido and put the health of the affected children at risk.
At Bode Saadu, Ijagbo, Ira, Okaka, Taiwo, Isale Koko, among other places visited, Hajia Imam disclosed that individuals who are caught practising female genital mutilation are predisposed to imprisonment among other charges to be given by the state government as backed up by the Nigerian law.
She added that they are also predisposed to dangerous and incurable diseases like tetanus, Hepatitis B virus, HIV, among other diseases as a result of the use of unsterilised tools in the process, as well as childlessness and psychological trauma in the future, advising the public not to engage in the practice.
The Commissioner, therefore, enjoined the people to report anyone who goes against the law on female genital mutilation to the appropriate authority for proper action.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director, Social Welfare, Alhaji Hamzat Fatai, urged the public to heed the state government’s advice on female genital mutilation, describing it as a harmful traditional practice.
He admonished. the people to always seek medical attention and not to engage the services of quacks, even when it involves male circumcisions.
The people at the Communities visited by the Ministry agreed to comply with the state government’s zero tolerance for female genital mutilation, just as they promised to spread the message across to their various Communities.