By Bisodun Bassey
Chief Medical Director Dr. Kasika Tolani of Jericho Nursing Home has enlightened the public that female genital mutilation is now a criminal offence.
She noted that it has been prohibited by the law, and it attracts a jail term, both for perpetrators or anyone who circumcises his or her child.
Dr Tolani disclosed this at the 2024 International Day for Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, which was held at Jericho Nursing Home recently.
FGM stakeholders also explored the day to celebrate survivors at the Led Movement, organised by the United Nations Population Fund Project, represented by a Gender/FGM analyst, Dr. Ayodeji Uzoma.
Dr Uzoma, in her goodwill message, emphasised the UNFPA’s dedication to women and girls who have been subjected to violence, stating that more than 200 million women and girls have been mutilated. In contrast, 4.4 million girls will be at risk this year if efforts are not intensified to curb the menace and invest in survivors.
She added that Led Movements gives more attention to ending female genital cutting and helping survivors.
Also speaking at the event was Prof.Oladosu Ojengbede, Director (CCPRH), Head of the Funded Project Implemented by the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health in Collaboration with the Oyo State Government, who enlightened about the ripple effects of FGM.
Prof.Ojengbede urged victims to speak out, saying, “Though the damage has been done and most of the culprits are dead, reawakening ourselves as a motivation to end FGM is part of CCPRH partnering, knowing that victims are voiceless and facing lots of challenges, such as difficulty in child delivery. Victims do suffer chronic infections because of the cutting, which is done without the victims’ consent, while others suffer various degrees of complications, including bleeding to death. These are reasons everyone should invest in the survivors-led movement.”
It was a moment of joy for FGM survivors in Oyo State; among them was a 35-year-old lady who expressed joy over a longtime inner reproach after Bactocyst surgery.
The lady, who pleaded anonymity in an interview with the press, described her painful moments as if the world were falling on her, having denied herself from attending social events of equals and co-gender.
According to her, she had never enjoyed sex until the blastocyst surgery, which healed after a few weeks.
While describing herself as the happiest woman on earth today, having thrived beyond shame and reproach, she urged stakeholders to help the rural women and girls who are victims as well.
Brilliant suggestions about how to stop FGM and help victims and survivors manage the awful experience were also raised and welcomed by the stakeholders in the FGM survivors-led movement.
Dr. Johnson Osoko, Director of Public Health (PHCB), says, “Except we hear their voice, how do we save victims from the calamities they have innocently found themselves?” The need to speak out is highly essential. While he illustrated a quote in the scriptures in Psalm 27:7 to enjoin every genuine partner to work hand in hand to end criminality, the survivor-led movement is a collective assignment.
Relevant FGM speakers from the Ministry of Justice Respectively, Mrs Tomi Popoola emphasized the need for a clinical psychologist, speaking, awareness before marriage, and constant therapy to forge ahead in life.
This year’s celebration for survivors is themed “Her Voice, Her Future: Investing in Survivor-Led Movements to End FGM.”
The organisation noted that “with the help of law enforcement agencies, victims should rest assured that they are safe.
NAWOJ and FOMWAN, represented by the secretaries of the associations, Comrade Stella Oyebanji and Mrs Ogungbenro, respectively, related their accounts of stewardship on FGM sensitization at marketplaces and in urban and rural communities across the local government areas of the state accordingly.
Other participants at the event included Dr Millicent (CCPRH), Mr. T. Y. Ibilade, representing the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Nathan Arewa, Mr Babalola, Mrs Tolu (CCPRH), and other team members: SMOH, SPHCB, MWASI, MWASI, MOE, MOJ, Law Enforcement, and other CSOS.
