Osun Security Personnel Trained On Policies Of Abandoning FGM
Personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and Southwest Security Network (Amotekun) have been trained on human rights-based policies on the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation in Osun State.
The two-day training was organised by a non-governmental organisation, Benevolent Initiative For Development, in support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Speaking during the training held in Osogbo, a lawyer at the State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Idayat Abdulrahman, urged stakeholders to ensure that laws prohibiting FGM in the state are fully implemented.
Barrister Abdulrahman noted that despite several laws banning the practice of FGM, people are still engaging in the harmful practice.
She said, “We have the Criminal Code, Capital 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State; Osun State Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation (Prohibition) Law, 2004 and the Child Rights Law, 2007, but despite all these laws, we still have some people who are still engaging in Female Genital Mutilation.
“We must make sure we punish the offenders in order to serve as a deterrent to others who are planning to engage in this harmful act.
“These laws are implementable provided also Stakeholders can come together and speak in one voice. Security agencies have a lot to do and they must assist in eradicating this menace.”
In her goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Abba, warned security agents not to harbour those circumcising girl children.
Abba who was represented by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said anyone caught would not only be dismissed but face the law.
She urged religious, traditional, and community leaders in the state to collaborate with security agencies to put an end to FGM in the state.
“Anyone caught anyone indulging in such, that person will lose his or her job because it is a law, and it has also been domesticated in this state, and we must enforce the law.
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“We are all in these together, and I’m urging our religious, traditional,, and community leaders to work together to put an end to FGM.
“The perpetrators are living in our communities, and we should not harbor them. Once we see anyone engaging or trying to engage in such practice, we should inform the necessary agencies,” she stated.
Addressing the participant, UNFPA Gender/ FGM Analyst, Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji said the training was to sensitise them about the danger of FGM and how all stakeholders can collaborate to end the menace.
She said, “This training programme is to sensitise you about the danger of FGM, and we are hoping that the harmful practice will be completely eradicated in the state.
“The elimination can not be done by one organization alone. That is why we are collaborating with you to achieve our desired results.”
The programme coordinator, Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Productive Health, Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs Oloruntomiwa Oyetunde, who was an observer, said with the participation of the security personnel, the training will achieve its purpose.
She said, “So far so good, I’ve seen the engagement of law enforcement agencies and their participation and I think the program is going to achieve its aim and objectives.
“From the feedback we’ve got today, I think everyone is poised to continue to ensure that we fight FGM within our communities in Osun State.”
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.
