NGO Takes FGM Sensitisation To Osun Markets
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Action Health Incorporated (AHI), with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), commemorated the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation with market sensitisation across five Local Governments in Osun State.
The local governments are – Ede South, Ife North, Ilesa East, Osogbo, and Atakunmosa West.
The sensitisation was led by three Community-Based Organisations from each local government. The CBOs were selected by AHI to support the anti-FGM implementation in project communities.
In Ede South, the sensitisation teams which include the Association for Icon Breeders and Life Changing Empowerment (AILIFE), Hope for Tomorrow Children and Women Initiative and Transformation Development and Peace Foundation on Monday, visited the popular Owode-Ede Market.
The sensitisation programme which was done with a stage play to drive home the message attracted market men, women as well as passersby.
Speaking with newsmen, the Programme Director, Association for Icon Breeders and Life Changing Empowerment (AILIFE), Dr. Amarachi Ezeakolam, said the message was for parents to stop female circumcision.
Ezeakolam who noted that the turnout was encouraging, applauded Action Health Incorporated for the opportunity to sensitise people on the dangers of FGM
She said, “We are here to do a campaign against Female Genital Mutilation here in Owode Ede market. The message for our people is that they should stop circumcising our female children.
“The turnout has been very encouraging. People came forward to ask questions and we were able to enlighten them more on the danger of FGM. A woman here told me she planned to take her 10-year-old girl for circumcision but after explaining things to her, she changed her mind.”
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In his words, the program officer, Hope for Tomorrow Children and Women Initiative, Samuel Ifeoluwa, harped on the need for residents of Ede North and Ede South to stop the practise of FGM.
Ifeoluwa said statistics have shown that the issue of female circumcision is still prevalent in some communities in Osun State, warning that anyone caught engaging in the act would face the law.
“It has been a wonderful time out here in Owode-Ede Market.
We are here with other organisations to sensitise the public, especially the market women on the dangers of FGM.
“Before now, the FGM was actually reducing but according to statistics that were brought out last year, the rate at which FGM is increasing in some parts of Osun state, particularly Ede South and Ede North is not good.
“That is why some of the organisations are actually deployed outside to sensitise people in the area. So we have been to some communities to sensitise the people, especially the females on the negative effects of this FGM. With this, people are now aware that FGM practice is not good and they are taking the message back to their communities,” Ifeoluwa noted.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
