Osun Residents Vow To End FGM Practice
Residents of six communities in Ila Local Government Area of Osun State have vowed to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in their domains and to follow legal procedures in handling related cases.
The pledge was made in their respective communities shortly after they publicly declared the abandonment of female circumcision.
The communities had earlier been sensitised on the dangers of FGM during dialogue sessions organised by a non-governmental organisation, Action Health Incorporated (AHI), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Speaking during the programme in Iperin, a youth representative in the community, Ajibola Wasiu, said residents had collectively agreed to stop the practice. He added that youths in the area had begun awareness campaigns to ensure compliance.
He said, “We have been engaged on the need to end Female Genital Mutilation, and we have all agreed to stop the practice in our community. The youths here have also started raising awareness and preaching the message, and we want to assure you that nobody will engage in this act again in our community.”
The Programme Officer of Action Health Incorporated, Fatimah Idris, said the organisation was working with the Osun State Government to ensure that FGM becomes a thing of the past in the state. She urged residents to “wage war against this harmful practice,” stressing that there is no benefit in circumcising female children.
Addressing journalists, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Life Enhancement and Community Development, one of the community-based organisations selected by AHI to support the anti-FGM project in Osun State, Mrs Funmilayo Ogunrinde, commended the communities for their commitment.
She said, “We have engaged them and we are happy with their level of commitment. Apart from explaining the dangers associated with FGM, we also informed them about the laws against Female Genital Mutilation in Osun State. We presented them with a certificate of public abandonment of FGM and also unveiled warning signs for residents and visitors on the dangers of the practice.”
Also speaking, the Onigboeso of Igboeso in Gaa Obalumo, Oba Muftau Fawole, said he had directed his subjects to desist from the practice, warning that anyone found guilty would be handed over to security agencies.
He said, “The organisation has been here several times, and as a community, we are happy with what they have brought to us. The government does not support the practice of Female Genital Mutilation, and we now fully understand the dangers. As the monarch, I have told my subjects that anyone who engages in female circumcision will be handed over to the security personnel. I am confident it will no longer take place in this town.”
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of the Flourishing Peoples Empowerment Initiative, Mr Raji Ibrahim, said the community had also introduced local sanctions to complement existing laws against the practice.
He said, “After pledging to end FGM, the community came up with its own sanctions for anyone caught engaging in female circumcision. While there are already legal penalties, these local rules will also help to curb the practice.
“We also presented the certificate of public abandonment of FGM and unveiled signage warning both residents and strangers of the dangers involved.”
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
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