2025 FGM DAY: GHALI, FARDEF, K&TRC Engage Stakeholders Against Female Genital Mutilation in Ondo State
As the world commemorates the International Day for Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation, stakeholders have called for a sustainable solution that would encourage traditional birth attendants and faith-based organisations to discourage the practice of female genital mutilation.
A sensitisation event to celebrate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Female Circumcision was organised by Global Awareness for Healthy Living Initiative (GHALI), Faracare Foundation for Human Development (FARDEF), and Kids & Teens Resources Centre, Akure, Ondo State, in partnership with the Ondo State Alternative Medicine Board.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of GHALI, Mrs Margaret Adebayo, highlighted the consequences of female genital mutilation, including severe pain, excessive bleeding, infection, obstruction of labour, and maternal mortality, among others.
Similarly, the Executive Director of FARDEF, Mrs Olufisoye Adenitan, stated that her organisation would continue to leverage media platforms to advocate against the violation of women’s and girls’ rights.
Also, the Executive Director of Kids & Teens Resources Centre, Mrs Folasade Bamigboye, admonished participants to take action against the practice of female genital mutilation, considering the enormous challenges it poses to the health of women and girls.
In her remarks, the former Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Gender, Chief Mrs Olamide Falana, urged traditional birth attendants to desist from the practice and to help expose those who may still be practising it, noting that laws are in place to punish offenders.
Additionally, the Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, Mrs Bolanle Afolabi, stated that the agency was always available to protect the rights of women and girls against violence in the state.
Other speakers at the event included the President of Women-Led NGOs in Ondo State, Ambassador Chaplain Folake Esan, and the Administrative Secretary of the Alternative Medicine Board, Mrs Lucy Ranti Akerele, who joined their voices in condemning the practice.
In a panel discussion at the event, the representative of the Director of Family Health, Ministry of Health, Dr Toyin Adeyalo-Ogundare, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr Ibukun Akindele, and a representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Mrs Debbie Dmonster-Sagba, called for collaboration between the government, faith-based organisations, traditional birth attendants, and youth-led organisations to eradicate the practice.
Dr Adeyalo-Ogundare educated the women on the health implications, while Mrs Debbie Dmonster-Sagba outlined the legal consequences for perpetrators of female genital mutilation.
Some of the participants, including Oluwaseyi Jimoh and Olatuwase Olatomiwa, appreciated the gesture and the awareness campaign aimed at improving people’s knowledge to reduce the practice.
The event, which was anchored by Reverend Mrs Bola Inyang, also had in attendance Dr Mrs Faozat Aragbaye.
