Women in Osun State under the umbrella of the National Council for Women Society have resolved to wage war against Female Genital Mutilation, noting that the practice is life-threatening.
They made this known during a sensitisation and training programme organised by the state chapter of NCWS at the Osun NUJ hall in Osogbo on Thursday.
The programme and roadshow were organized by NCWS as part of the activities marking this year’s United Nations International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM with the theme, “Her Voice, Her Future.”
Addressing the women on the dangers of the FGM practice, an anti-FGM advocate, Mrs Aduke Obelawo, said the problems in the illegal practice include infection, years of bleeding, difficulty during child birth amd formation of colloids in the survivor’s private parts among others.
Obelawo urged the women to speak against FGM practice and report those who may want to indulge in it in their surroundings to appropriate quarters.
Described FGM as archaic and barbaric practice that is not supported by any religion, Obelawo charged mothers to voice out against the act and ensure that neither their children nor any person around them is allowed to partake in it.
According to her, “There are immediate problems and long-term problems of FGM. It could cause infection, difficult in child delivery, bleeding, formation of colloids in private parts among others.
“The economy is also affected and the home is also affected. It is a threat and violation of human rights and girls. We have rights to our bodily integrity. It affects the health right.
“We have cultural practices that are good for us and our children but when we have some cultures like FGM that affect our lives and health, then, we should kick against it and abolish it.
“We should encourage our children who have been circumcised to speak out and speak up against it because their voice and future matter. You should examine your actions and see those things you are doing that either encourage FGM or discourage it. In your homes, neighbourhood, associations, speak against FGM.
“We must rise to save our children from agonies and financial hardship. Survivors must speak out. Let us mainstream the message. We should join voices to condemn FGM so that the target of 2030 will be realised,” she told the participants.
Also speaking, another anti-FGM advocate, Mrs Bukola Ejiade, said, “We must be convinced that FGM is dangerous. The dangers are very severe and we can’t watch our girls and women continue to experience pain and deaths. Imagine one having a non-stop rigorous labour at child birth. It is traumatic and we as women should condemn it.
“So, I urge us to take campaign to the grassroots, Churches and Mosques and in our families so that people will desist from practising FGM,” she added.
A lawyer, Grace Williams, educated the women on the legal implications of carrying out the practice, saying that defaulters are liable to jail terms and other punishments.
She said the law that criminalizes FGM is contained in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and that those who refuse to speak out when FGM is being done around them would be punished according to the law.
However, the women expressed readiness to speak against the practice, saying the dangers could no longer be tolerated.
