FGM Still Prevalent In Osun Despite Campaign Against Practice – Findings

In spite of the relentless efforts by government, international and local nongovernmental organisations to dissuade people from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), some communities in Osun state are still neck-deep in the practice.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed that some parents have not ceased from circumcising their baby girls, while they keep it away from other people.

According to investigations, the FGM is prevalent in some communities in Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race, especially among families with royal lineage and traditional chieftaincy titles.

There are also concerns in adjoining towns and villages around Ile-Ife over the continued prevalence of FGM in the communities.

The development, findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed, has been recurring despite efforts by the government and relevant stakeholders to stem the tide.

Findings revealed that FGM practice is still prevalent in communities like Gbelengan, Iloro, Iremo, Moore, Edunabon, Moro, Okerewe, Ilode, Eleyele, and other villages around the ancient town.

Sources told OSUN DEFENDER that the practice is done in secrecy and with utmost confidentiality.

Available information has it that parents take their female children on a travel of three hours to meet with native circumcision specialists known as Oloola in Yoruba language, to carry out the exercise.

According to UNICEF, Female Genital Mutilation refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, with over 230 million girls and women who have been cut worldwide.

READ: Osun Communities Declare End To FGM

In April 2024, some nongovernmental organisations based across the country visited Osun State and notice a sharp drop in the prevalence rate, especially in local communities within the state.

However, OSUN DEFENDER’s findings notes that the practice is not ending anytime soon in Ile-Ife, as well as those on the Ife/Ibadan expressway through Gbongan, Ikire, Apomu and other neighbouring towns and villages.

A source who craved anonymity told OSUN DEFENDER that the native circumcision specialists charge between N4,000 to N10,000 to carry out the act.

The source added that those mostly involved are young girls within the ages of 3-10, while older ones are circumcised for as high as N20,000.

The source said, “Yes. FGM still goes on in Osun but at a very classified level. There are still native circumcision specialists known as Oloolas. When a girl is to be touched, they go deep into the thick forest, where telecommunications network is not really active to carry out FGM.

“Every week, at least, no fewer than five young girls are taken to these Oloolas. They are normally conducted on weekdays when the inhabitants of the villages would have gone to the farms. They do not do it on weekends. They have a rich network and information about the contacts and those who carry out the act is highly secluded from the public.”

A resident of Ile-Ife, Mr. Alaba Taiwo explained that the practice of Female Genital Mutilation has not reduced in the ancient town and still prevalent in the nearby towns.

Taiwo, who recounted a recent experience, told OSUN DEFENDER that it is high time the authorities wade in.

He said, “People still do FGM in Osun State. I know of a man in my community that told me of how he took his two daughters to a community in Ife to circumcise them. He spent around 15,000 naira on the girls.

“He told me he had to do it based on his religious beliefs. He knows it is a criminal offence, but had to find another way to do it. The people are doing it lowkey and even the agents to these Oloolas are staying in the major towns. I also know of one done in April 2024 at Edunabon.

“I call on the government to provide more education for the people, especially people at the grassroots. It is funny that those who have the requisite information are the ones doing these things. A lot of searchlight needs to be done on these rural communities”

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has warned residents against circumcision of female children, noting that anyone found guilty will face the law.

The Director of Gender Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Mrs Lola Adewale, noted that female circumcision is not an antidote to promiscuity.

She added that the short and long-term effects of Female Genital Mutilation are huge which sometimes may lead to death.

She said there is a punishment for anyone caught in the act.

“Female Genital Mutilation is a cultural belief and a misconception that requires change. There is a need for all key stakeholders to be advocates for the eradication of FGM.

“We’ve talked about the law and our security agents have assured us of their support. So, whoever sees anyone trying to perform circumcision on a girl child should report to the security agencies.

“People believe the practice of Female Genital Mutilation is an antidote to promiscuity but it is not. That’s why we give the health consequences of the practice which at times, leads to death.”

She added that the Osun stats VAP law states that “The performance of FGM or engagement of another to perform FGM carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding four years or a fine not exceeding N200,000 or both.

“Attempting to perform FGM or engaging another to perform FGM carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding 100,000 or both.”