ENUGU – As the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) has stressed the need to intensify efforts to eliminate the harmful practice that has scarred the lives of millions of girls and women.
The call was made by the Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Enugu on Wednesday during the media dialogue on 2025 zero tolerance to female genital mutilation (FGM) held at Fidelma hotel Enugu.
She said “February 6th, is a day set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
“This day serves as a reminder of the need to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice that violates the fundamental human rights of girls and women.
“FGM comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. This practice is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, health, and integrity of girls and women.
“It is a form of gender-based violence, a harmful practice against women and girls, and a public health challenge, Chiluwe said.
According to her, the prevalence of FGM is still alarming in Nigeria especially in the Southeast region saying that “ the Nigeria Multiple Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, the prevalence of FGM among girls aged 0-14 stands at 3.7%, 3.0%, 2.1%, and 0.2% respectively for Enugu, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi states.
She said “The UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM has been working tirelessly with state and non-state actors to mobilize individuals and groups, seeking behavior change, and facilitating the movement for good towards ending the practice of FGM.
“Despite the progress made, there is still much work to be done. The Nigerian government must intensify efforts to eliminate FGM by increasing investment in effective interventions, strengthening social movements, and amplifying the voices of survivors.
“Today, to foster our commitment in ending this menace, we have great policies and laws that protects the rights and privileges of children, women and girls in the Southeast region some of which are the Child Rights Laws, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Laws etc.
“In addition, we have had public declaration of abandonment of FGM practices across communities and LGAs, improved services for FGM survivors and increased awareness across communities. However, according to Nigeria Multiple Cluster Survey,” she said
She thereby advocated for Increase investment in effective interventions to scale up efforts to eliminate FGM in Nigeria as well as Strengthen social movements led by girls, women, survivors, youth, boys, and men to amplify action to eliminate FGM.
“Together, we can make FGM history and ensure a brighter, healthier, and more just future for all women and girls in Nigeria,” she said
