Health

By Omolola Alamu

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State Chapter, joins the global community to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), 

This year’s theme, “stepping up the pace “, emphasizes the need for collective action to eradicate this harmful practice that affects millions of girls and women worldwide.

In a statement, the chairperson OYO Nawoj, Mrs Omolola Alamu and the Secretary, Mrs Eniola Adeaga, the association condemns Female Genital Mutilation in all its forms and calls on governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to Strengthen laws and policies to prevent and respond to FGM

Nawoj urges the Government to Increase funding for initiatives addressing FGM support survivors and provide access to justice and reparations

The association also advises traditional and religious leaders to denounce FGM and promote alternative rites of passage that respect the rights and dignity of girls and women.

The Association call for unity to break the silence, challenge harmful traditions, and demand an end to FGM.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Health

By Seyifunmi Olarinde

Oyo state has made commendable strides in reducing the prevalence of female genital mutilation in the state and has reduced the occurrence rate from sixty-three per cent to 31.3 per cent within the past six years.

Wife of Oyo state governor, Mrs Tamunominimi Makinde disclosed this in an address during the event organized by her office to commemorate this year’s International Day Of Zero Tolerance For Female Genital Mutilation

Mrs Makinde who said over two hundred communities in the state had declared the abandonment of FGM, stressed the need for stakeholders to step up their commitments to reducing the prevalence rate to zero.

While highlighting the various laws enacted by the state to address violence against women and children, Mrs Makinde encouraged mothers to speak out against female Genital Mutilation and seek for help from the government 

Earlier, a social worker from the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Seun Olalekanmi emphasized that 27 million women have been predicted to be at risk of FGM globally, before the year 2030, hence the need for stakeholders to intensify their advocacy efforts.

Mrs Olalekanmi identified no sexual satisfaction, post-traumatic stress, memory loss, and extramarital affairs as some of the negative effects of Female Genital Mutilation on victims.

Also speaking, the FGM focal person in Oyo state, Mrs Balikis Olawoyin advocated increased community mobilization as well as youth and Media engagements to further reduce the prevalence rate of FGM in Oyo state.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Foreign

The Gambian parliament will on Monday discuss whether to consider or throw out a bill that is seeking to reverse the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM).

If the legislators agree to consider it, the bill will be taken through a committee for further scrutiny.

The bill was introduced to parliament earlier this month by independent lawmaker Almammeh Gibba, who said it sought to “uphold religious purity and safeguard cultural norms and values”.

Though FGM was criminalised in The Gambia in 2015, some seek to overturn the ban claiming that it violates religious freedom and is against the country’s cultural practices.

But local and international human rights groups are urging lawmakers not to consider the bill, saying decriminalising FGM would endanger girls and women.

Over 73% of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have undergone some form of FGM in The Gambia, which ranks among the top 10 African countries where FGM is prevalent, according to the UN.

The FGM rate drops to 46% among girls aged 14 and younger, according to Unicef.

Only two cases have been prosecuted and one conviction secured since The Gambia’s FGM ban in 2015, human rights group Amnesty International says.

BBC / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Health

By Olumide Ogunbiyi

Survivors of female genital mutilation, FGM, should always speak out to discourage others from engaging the harmful practice.

Director, Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health, CCPRH, Professor Oladosu Ojengbede, gave the charge at this year’s celebration of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, with the theme, “Her Voice, Her Future: Investing In FGM Survivor-Led Movement to End FGM”, held at Jericho Nursing Home, Jericho, Ibadan.

Professor Ojengbede said survivors voicing out against FGM, would strengthen the resolve and dedication of people to supporting the movement for zero tolerance for female genital mutilation.

Also speaking, the Southwest coordinator of United Nation Population Fund, UNFPA who is also the FGM analyst of the organisation, Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji maintained that every survivor’s voice is a call to action, and every choice they made in reclaiming their lives contribute to the movement to end the harmful practice of FGM.

Mrs Ayodeji further revealed that over four million girls would be at risk of FGM if efforts are not intensified to end the practice.

She commended stakeholders for their support for women and girls battling with FGM.

In a remark, the Chief Medical Director, CMD, of Jericho Nursing Home, Dr. Bashil Kasika said that he was glad that the event is coming up at the nursing home noting that the facility boasts of a sexual assault referral centre where they care for victims of sexual assault.

In goodwill messages by various stakeholder organisations at the event, they commended UNFPA and CCPRH for their steadfastness in working to end the dangerous practise.

The event was attended by officials from the Oyo State Ministry of Justice, Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Health, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, media and FGM survivors.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Health

By Olumide Ogunbiyi

Female Genital Cutting is a barbaric trend that must be halted in society.

This was the submission of stakeholders at an event put together by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and Oyo State Government in collaboration with the Center for Population and Reproductive Health, CPRH, to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

Speaking on the theme “Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to end FGM”, the Director of the Center for Population and Reproductive, CPRH, Professor Oladosu Ojengbede said FGM was a practice that should be relegated to the background.

He described it as a scourge which must be tackled by all and sundry. Professor Ojengbede said the event was a collaboration of stakeholders to raise awareness of the need to end FGM.

 “it is raising awareness using this day which has been designated globally to bring in more men, those who are involved and who may be involved, to bring them together so that they can actually drive it, if the men support it, women will be more protected”

On her part, a legal practitioner, Mrs Deborah Collins highlighted the position of the law on FGM urging the public to do away with all practices that could make them contravene the law.

A participant, Mr Adegboye Otunla, a member of the “Oloola family”, when lending his voice to the clamour to end FGM, charged concerned authorities to put all hands on deck to give the girl child the desired respect and honour.

 “I am saying it, the Oloolas will not do it, because we use to tell our people, if you do and you’re caught, you’re on your own”

The programme had in attendance traditional circumcisers drawn from across Oyo state.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Health

The wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has called on society to extend psychological and emotional support to victims of Female Genital Mutilation.

Mrs Makinde gave the advice at the commemoration of this year’s Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, Day.

The wife of the Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Faosat Sanni noted that when needed support was rendered to victims of FGM it would help reduce the trauma to the barest minimum. 

The director of the population and reproductive health, Dr Oladosu Ojengbede who explained that Oyo state ranked 3rd among states with the highest cases of FGM noted that with an ongoing awareness of the dangers inherent in the act, the number was reducing.

The state reproductive officer coordinating Female Genital Mutilation, Mrs Balqis  Olawoyin said the traditional circumcisers had been working together with them to put an end to the act.

Patron Circumcision Descendants Association of Nigeria, Chief Abiola Ogundokun noted that cutting of female genitals does more harm than good, thereby appealed to other circumcisers engaged in the practice to desist from it.

Chief Ogundokun however, called on the government to empower them as circumcising children had been an age-long source of income for them.

Participants were drawn from PFN women wing, FOMWAN, NASFAT, traditional birth attendants among others.

Seyifunmi Olarinde

Health

Female genital mutilation, FGM, has been described as an harmful practice that do not meet the present cultural realities.

Executive director, Onelife Initiative for human development, Mr Sola Fagorusi made this known while featuring on straight talk, an interview programme on premier FM.

Mr Fagorusi explained that since there is no medical guidelines of conducting female genital mutilation coupled with different laws enacted on violence against persons and childs rights act made FGM/C illegal.

He said UNICEF in collaboration with NGOs have constituted champions who will serve as taskforce to ensure circumcisers followed their decision to stop FGM

Mosope Kehinde

Lifestyle

The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) and the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health (CPRH) in collaboration with Oyo State Ministry of Health and Ministry Of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion organised a 3-day training workshop on how to produce Hair cream, moisturizers, slippers, fix nails and many more for survivors of Gender based violence (GBV) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in order to imbibe the knowledge and abilities to create their own source of income and be self reliant.


Mrs Tolu Babawarun, Senior Project Coordinator, CPRH, said they realise that most of the survivors don’t have tangible means of livelihood to support themselves, and so the workshop envisioned to train and give skills to survivors of GBV and FGM to ensure are able to stand on their feet financially and sustain themselves, this is to help them to relieve the issues they face and not to be vulnerable again.


Folashade Bello, a participant at the training said she was very happy to be part of the workshop.

She affirmed that, the moment she set up her own business and start making money, she will be able to contribute to the growth and development of her family and the society at large.

She was also grateful to the organiser of the training, UNPF and CPRH as well as Oyo State Ministry of Health and Ministry of Women Affairs and social inclusion.

Olumide Ogunbiyi

Lifestyle

No fewer than one hundred and seventy persons engaging in female circumcision in Ekiti State have been given two hundred and fifty thousand nairas each to start another business and stop genital mutilation.

At the disbursement of the grants in Ado Ekiti, which was tagged “Drop the Blade Imitative” the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi told the beneficiaries of the gesture to ensure they engage in meaningful businesses for self-reliance.

She maintained that the grants would not be refunded while no compensation must be paid to anyone for registering them.

“We are empowering these women today so as to take them away from the illegal business. If what they were gaining from female circumcision was why they could not let go of the job, we are ready to empower them” She said.

Erelu Fayemi noted that this would be the second time empowering those engaging in female circumcision to discourage the continuation of the dastardly illegal business.

The governor’s wife expressed regret that the state was one of the top three states practising such act hence all hands must be on deck to stop the menace outrightly.

Earlier in an address, the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade reminded the beneficiaries that there are laws in place banning female circumcision saying anyone caught would be made to face the legal action.

The commissioner who reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance for female genital mutilation called for stakeholders’ involvement in stamping it out in all communities across the State.

The Director-General, Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency, MEDA Otunba Kayode Fasae cautioned the beneficiaries of the fund against frivolous spending but engage in self-reliant businesses.

Other stakeholders including, the President of Iyalaje/Iyaloja Ekiti State, Chief Waye Oso among others urged expectant mothers to patronise government health facilities adding that there is no benefit in female circumcision.

The high point of the event was the collection of blades, scissors, cotton wool and other instruments used for circumcision from the beneficiaries.

One of the beneficiaries of the grants, Mrs Funmilayo Adedeji thanked the government for putting up such an initiative to assist them.

Busuyi Ogidiolu

Health

Law against Female Genital Mutilation should be well domesticated for law enforcement agents and the people to understand.

The Osun State Team Leader, Social Media Advocate, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF,  Mr. Ademola Adebisi stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Oshogbo.

Mr. Adebisi noted that many especially in the community where the act is being practised do not know that there is a law against Female circumcision.

He maintained that enforcement of the Girl-child Rights Act would ensure that perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted to serve as a deterrent to others.

Mr. Adebisi said there is a lot to be done in sensitizing and enlightening the Public especially at the rural areas on the need to eradicate circumcision.

He said the media should be actively involved in the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation through various programme to educate the people on the danger associated with female genital mutilation.

Funmi Adekoya

Lifestyle

Umoja village was founded in 1990 by a group of 15 women who were survivors of rape by local British soldiers,in Kenya.

 Umoja’s population has now expanded to include any woman escaping child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, domestic violence and rape – all of which are cultural norms among the Samburu.

Rebecca Lolosoli who is the founder of Umoja and the village matriarch, was in hospital recovering from a beating by a group of men when she came up with the idea of a women-only in the community.

The beating was an attempt to teach her a lesson for daring to speak to women in her village about their rights.

 The Samburu are closely related to the Maasai tribe, speaking a similar language.

They usually live in groups of five to 10 families and are semi-nomadic pastoralists, as their culture is deeply patriarchal.

At village meetings men sit in an inner circle to discuss important village issues, while the women sit on the outside, only occasionally allowed to express an opinion.

 Umoja’s first members all came from the isolated Samburu villages dotted across the Rift valley.

Since then, women and girls who hear of the refuge come and learn how to trade, raise their children and live without fear of male violence and discrimination.

There are currently 47 women and 200 children in Umoja.

Although the inhabitants live extremely frugally, these enterprising women and girls earn a regular income that provides food, clothing and shelter for all.

 Village leaders run a campsite, a kilometre away by the river, where groups of safari tourists stay.

Many of these tourists, and others passing through nearby nature reserves, also visit Umoja.

 The women charge a modest entrance fee and hope that, once in the village, the visitors will buy jewellery made by the women in the craft centre.

Lolosoli is tall and powerfully built, her shaven head adorned with the traditional Samburu beaded ornaments.

One of the unique features of the Umoja community is that, some of the more experienced residents train and educate women and girls from surrounding Samburu villages on issues such as early marriage and FGM.

Samson Abiodun

Health

Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, which is the cutting or total removal of the external female genitals, has been described as a violation of human rights, health and integrity of girls and women.

This was stated by the wife of the governor of Oyo state, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde at a program to commemorate this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM. 

Some of the participants of the programme

Mrs Makinde who called for collaborative effort to end the practice said the act had cause physical torture to girls and women, thereby leading to emotional pains.

The Oyo State female genital mutilation coordinator, Mrs Balqis Olawoyin said the practice was due to a cultural belief which was age-long thereby making it difficult to eradicate the practice totally especially in the grassroots areas.

Mrs Olawoyin who said the state government had employed the assistance of local surveillance officers to monitor those still carrying out the activities noted that a particular local government in Oyo state had the highest number of FGM cases according to report.

In a reaction, the national grand patron of circumcisers, Chief Abiola Ogundokun advised government to empower them by setting them up economically as this step of eradicating FGM will make them jobless.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello said FGM usually leaves a permanent scar on the victim, hence the need to stop it.

The program had in attendance traditional birth attendants, local circumcisors, mothers and religious organizations.

Seyifunmi Olarinde

Health

The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, has donated personal protective equipment to the Oyo State primary healthcare board in the care of survivors of female genital mutilation.
The PPE include arm length gloves, surgical mask, surgical aprons and goggles.


Presenting the PPE to the board Executive Secretary at the state secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Director for Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Oladosu Ojengbede noted that the equipment would encourage health workers to provide comprehensive services to prevent and manage complications and resettle women living with female genital mutilation.


Professor Ojengbede also stated that the centre had trained over three hundred health workers at primary healthcare levels to lead to elimination of female genital mutilation.
Professor Ojengbede added that the organisation had also donated PPE’s such as handwashing equipment, masks, sanitizers and educating the people on protection against covid 19.
Receiving the PPE, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muyideen Olatunji while appreciating the kind gesture of UNFPA maintained that the items would be distributed among the healthcare facilities across the state.
Dr. Olatunji solicited for more support from UNFPA and called on philanthropic individuals and organisations to partner the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board for service to humanity.

Olumide Ogunbiyi

News

The people of Idiyan Community in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State has signed a pact to end Female Genital Mutiliation FGM in the area.


Signing the pact with the Centre For Population and Reproductive Health, (CPRH) and the Initiative for Intergrated Community Welfare in Nigeria(IICWIN), the traditional ruler, Onidiyan of Idiyan, Oba Adelere Adebare said FGM had already become a threat to human existence hence the importance of ending the practice.


Oba Adelere while noting that FGM posed a lot of dangers to the girls exposed to it, stressed that anyone found culpable of the barbaric act would be handed over to security officers for prosecution.


Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of IICWIN and an advocate for an end to Female Genital Mutiliation, Dr Ebunlomo Walker noted that the signing of the pact was timely.


Dr Walker urged parents and other stakeholders to work together to ensure that FGM becomes a thing of the past.


Some of the residents of the area who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed their readiness to support the campaign against FGM and ensure that the pact is enforced.


Olumide Ogunbiyi

Health

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

Health

The campaign against female genital mutilation in Oyo state has recorded another feat as thirty six communities under Ilado, Oju Baba, Molete and Iserin in Iseyin local government area of Oyo state publicly declared abandonment of the practise. 

This followed series of 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. 

At the event held with pomp and ceremony at the Iseyin Local government Secretariat, some residents of the communities said their decision to end FGM was borne out of the dangers inherent in the practise. 

In an address, Oyo state Director, NOA, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu commended community leaders for taking such decision and promised the agency’s commitment to achieving total elimination of Female genital mutilation in Oyo state. 

In a goodwill message, Southwest FGM coordinator of the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo said a Surveillance team that will monitor hospitals, health workers, and traditional birth attendants will soon be inaugurated and trained to ensure total compliance. 

Earlier, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Dr. Abdulganiy Adekunle who said the communities are convinced beyond doubt that there are no health benefit in the practise of FGM expressed his full support to the elimination of the practise. 

Some of the Community leaders drawn from each affected communities later signed witness forms and were presented with FGM abandonment certificate by UNICEF. 

Mosope Kehinde