LET’S ALL STAND AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN NIGERIA

All forms of violence against women should be completely eradicated from our society. Culture and religion are the two most prominent reasons for most harmful practices done to women and that is the reason why we should all put our voices together and have zero tolerance to all forms of gender based violence.

Today is another day to raise our voices, lift our flags and spread the news on the need to end female genital mutilation in our communities, Nigeria, Africa and all around the world where this evil act is still being practiced.

Several States in Nigeria have signed the law against the Act but there is still need for active advocacy and public awareness for the implementation of this law to create a safe space for young girls and women to grow and be protected.

According to the World Health Organization, 150 million women are affected by female genital mutilation. Female Genital Mutilation (often referred to as FGM) is an operation, during which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the goal of   inhibiting a woman’s sexual feelings.

(www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publication/fgm/en)

This act is a very harmful practice which has dangerous effect on the physical, mental and emotional state of the victim.

As we commemorate today, our organization Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) is standing with girls and women all around the world to advocate for zero tolerance to female genital mutilation. Girls and women deserve the right to be protected hence this barbaric act should be completely eradicated.

The Federal and State government should enforce the laws signed against FGM and prosecute offenders. Communities should say no to this act and protect their girls and women. Men should stand up and fight for their women by eliminating this act in their community. And to the cutters, female genital mutilation is a crime and offenders will be punished, desist from this act and help preserve the future of our girls and women by helping them staying healthy instead of cutting them.

Together let us all preserve our girls and women by giving them dignity, love, esteem and expression of right for their feminism. Female genital mutilation is evil, ‘let stop it now’.

Women Consortium of Nigeria

13, Okesuna Street, Lagos Island, Lagos

Wocon95@yahoo.com

08037190133, 08033188767