Women have been charged to expose anyone found guilty of Female Genital Mutilation/cutting within the community and educate their female children who have been victims of the practice with a view to ending the menace.
These were the submission of stakeholders at the sensitization programme organised by the Global Awareness on Healthy Living Initiative in collaboration with Health Solutions and Gender Violence Center for Adofure community in Akure South local government area of Ondo state
The Chief Executive Officer of Health Solution Center, Dr. Fauzat Aragbaye said, people should put a stop to the generation of FGM so that the victims do not also practice it on their children.
Dr Aragbaye in her keynote address described FGM as a terrible situation which is very deadly to the girl child depriving them of their rights.
She said it is of no use because it added no value to them and does not in anyway serve as any benefit to the girls.
Dr Aragbaye noted that the law stipulated a sanction of four years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 for those caught performing the act.
Delivering a lecture at the programme, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Global Awareness on Healthy Living Initiatives, Mrs Margaret Adebayo on the topic "Accelerating Investment to End Female Genital Mutilation /cutting" expressed that the female genitalia has special function and purpose for its creation which include Sexual fulfilment and procreation for child bearing but if the genitalia is cut off , it would deprive it's purpose.
According to her, reasons for FGM should be abolished because the implication can cause Severe pains, shock, infection keloid formation, marriage breakage, prolong labour which may lead to obstruction, inability to fulfill sexual satisfaction among majority of others.
Mrs Adebayo Margaret also highlighted some harmful traditional practices like maltreatment of the widows, teenage pregnancy, Son's preference, force marriage which is denying the girl -child education and various others.All these should be stopped.
In addition, the community people were also informed about the need to do family planning considering the economic situation of the country and the world at large.
Earlier, in a goodwill message, the President of Women led NGO, Mrs Folake Esan who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) St. JOAVlC's Foundation advised women to always speak out when they notice any form of FGM within their communities.
Esan said it is only when people speak out that the facts and figures would be identified to get the law implemented and when such culprits are found,they would be made to face the wrath of the law.
The Primary Health Care Local government coordinator who was ably represented by Mrs Juliet Dada appreciated the organisers for the programme and urged women to make use of what they have learnt and communicate same to those who were not in attendance .
A participant at the occasion, Mrs Solape Adeyanju applauded the organisers, saying that they are now well informed and promised to take the campaign to the grassroots.
Another participant, Mrs Alaba Oluwasiji was remorseful that she performed the act because she was also subjected to the practice of FGM as she promised to educate her daughter against it so that the generation of performing such act is cut off.
Other dignitaries at the event includes the wife of Olu Adofure, Olori Victoria Atere, Iya Alaje of Adofure, Chief Mrs Sholape Obanigba, officer in charge of Adofure Primary Health Care PHC, Mrs Mercy Okuneye and the Maternal and Child Health Officer, Modupe Akintola and Mr Austin Ogunleye
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