The First Lady of Oyo state, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, on Tuesday, hosted stakeholders in her move to put an end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the state.
Mrs Makinde canvassed for the collective effort of stakeholders and community leaders toward ending FGM.
She said the danger FGM posed to the health of women and girls across the state is enormous, seeking for an end to the practice.
She said these while speaking, in Ibadan, at a programme organized to celebrate this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
The theme of this year’s FGM Day is ‘Her voice, future: Investing in Survivor-Led Movements to end Female Genital Mutilation.’
Her words: “FGM has adverse health and negative interpersonal consequences, it also belittles our women and girls, as stakeholders, let us engage community leaders, religious leaders and policymakers to create constructive policies that will promote positive change and fairness on FGM.
“Stakeholders should use their position to initiate conversation within the community to fight against the harmful practice of FGM.
“Women and girls do not need to go through complications, severe pains, excessive bleeding, genital tissue swelling, fever and others that are associated with FGM, nor do they need depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or low self extreme as a result of FGM, let us say no to FGM.
“In Oyo State, we need a complete woman as a mother and wife, not a broken depressed woman, stakeholders and community leaders should encourage our people to speak up against FGM and change the harmful norms of FGM, let’s advocate for the well being of our women and girls, so, we can pave way for healthier women and save our childbirth.”
She called on religious, community leaders, and policy makers to use their esteemed positions to initiate conversation within their communities to challenge the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Oyo State Traditional Circumcisers, Mr Abobade Muftau said that the association has decided to stop the circumcision of females in the state.
Muftau commended the state government for the advocacy and enlightenment on the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation.
He pledged to work with the state government and other stakeholders towards putting an end to FGM.
The Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Sefiu Oyebola, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers at the event, said they will go back to their respective domains and enlighten their subjects on the dangers of FGM.
