The government advised the Oyo West community and other members of the society, international agencies, security establishments and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) on total abstinence from female genital mutilation.
A campaign to end harmful customary traditional practices was recently held at Gudugbu Community in Oyo West Local Government Area of the state.
Representatives of the Oyo State Government, Mrs Balikis Olawoyin of the Ministry of Health (Primary Health Care) and Mrs Justina Oladoye from the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University College Hospital, were at the signing and presentation of the certificate to the community leader (Baale Gudugbu), Chief Salawu Abu Oyeniran. The duo urge the FGM Champions and the Surveillance team to report attempts by offenders. The trained team were advised not to romanticise cultural stereotypes that embrace female genital mutilation in society.
It was pointed out that adequate and early reports of transgressors are highly needed to prevent future damage to the girl child. Liable offenders will face the court of law to pay fines and possibly face imprisonment.
An appeal went to immediate neighbours, friends, and the society at large to influence positive change to stop the cutting of the girl child.
Alhaja Airat Ogungbenro, the FOMWAN CPN Committee Chairperson and FGM Project Coordinator, enjoined everyone not to relent in sensitising the community at large to save the future of the girl child’s physical, emotional, and psychological health.
While giving the overview program report on FGM on House-to-House, Door-to-Door, and household discussions at community levels, the FOMWAN State Amirah Dr Oloso B. B was represented by Comr. Mrs Ojo Monsurat Toyin described the Oyo West FGM abandonment project as a core goal achievement and a massive success with a positive result, oriented towards FGM abandonment.
Relevant law enforcement and agencies—NSCDC, Amotekun, Nigeria Correctional Centre, Nigerian Immigration Service, and Nigerian Police officers—were among others who joined the public declaration ceremony to denounce the abandonment of FGM/C.
This programme started in 2020, with advocacy visits paid to leaders of the Ojongbodu and Bola communities of Oyo West on FGM.
Champions and surveillance teams were identified and trained, which led to a public declaration on the abandonment of FGM in which Ojongbodu and Bola Communities in November 2020 made a public declaration of the abandonment of the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.
On 17th March 2022, the programme’s execution started at Gudugbu Community.
The Cutting of the Girl Child at Gudugbu in Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State engages religious and community leaders, traditional rulers, health practitioners, and traditional birth attendants in support to advocate the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/C.
