By Bashir Khalid
As the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), stakeholders in Nigeria have called for collaborative efforts to eradicate the harmful practice in communities.
One of them, Executive Director of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Alwadata Lifeline Initiative, Mrs Winifred Robinson made the call during a sensitisation campaign in Bauchi.
Mrs Robinson described FGM as a violation of human rights, stressing that ending the practice requires urgent intervention from key stakeholders, as well as global and local support to arrest the problem.
She decried the high prevalence of FGM, particularly in northern Nigeria, urging communities to shun harmful practice as it has no health benefits.
Similarly, the Village Head of Birshi Gandu in Bauchi Local Government Area, Mallam Muhammad Adamu Gambo, pledged commitment of traditional leaders towards raising awareness and protecting the rights and health of girls and women.
Mallam Gambo also encouraged parents and guardians to enrol their female children in school, emphasising the importance of both Islamic and Western education in securing their future.
Speaking to Radio Nigeria, one of the participants, Laweeza Al’ameen expressed gratitude to the organisers of the campaign and promised to share the knowledge gained with her community.
Reports indicate that over 200 million women and girls worldwide have undergone FGM.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is:
“Step Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.”
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