There is an end in sight to total eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in Oyo state as stakeholders continue to sustain the current feat in the campaign against the practice in the state.
This is as another 120 communities across Oyo state openly declared to abandon Female Genital Mutilation, barely one week after 36 communities in Iseyin local government publicly denounced the practice.
Twenty six communities were from Ogbomoso South local government, twenty six in Ibarapa North, while sixty eight communities were from Oyo West local government.
This development increases the numbers of communities that recently declared abandonment of FGM in Oyo state to one hundred and fifty-six.
Some of the new communities included, Idode, Ona Isokun in Oyo west Local Government, Imofin and Ona Oba in Ibarapa North Local Government, as well as Ipetu/Ijeru, Isapa in Ogbomoso South local government area of Oyo state.
Their decisions followed sensitization and stakeholder’s meetings against female cutting by the Oyo state National Orientation Agency and UNICEF in the affected communities which commenced about four years ago.
Speaking at the event, Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu emphasised that the practice is violating the rights of the girls, hence the need to abandon it.
Reacting, UNICEF FGM coordinator, Southwest, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo said UNICEF will leverage on the testimonies of leaders in the affected communities to encourage more communities to come on board in the fight against cutting of the girl child.
A community leader, the Ona Isokun of Oyo Alaafin, Chief Isiaka Titiloye, described FGM as an outdated practice which brings more harm to the female folk.
Traditional rulers in the affected communities were later presented with certificate of affirmation of public declaration for abandonment of FGM after signing agreement to end the practice.
Kehinde Mosope
pub-5160901092443552
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