•Wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mary Nwifuru
The Ebonyi State government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), declaring that the harmful traditional practice has no place in modern society.
The declaration was made by the wife of the Ebonyi State governor, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, during the Ebonyi State Women’s Leadership Summit on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, reports Channels TV.
Held at the Women Development Centre in Abakaliki, the event was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO).
The high-level summit brought together key stakeholders, including wives of traditional rulers, women religious leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs), and survivors.
Addressing participants, Mrs Nwifuru described FGM as a grave violation of human rights that subjects young girls to severe physical pain, lifelong emotional trauma, and serious health complications.
She pledged that the state government would sustain grassroots sensitisation campaigns until the practice is completely eradicated.
“Our youths should know that FGM is a complete ‘no-no’. We are going to scale up awareness across all corners of the state.
“All local government chairpersons will produce jingles in their local dialects and distribute them across social media platforms.”
“I will also continue speaking on radio stations about the dangers of FGM. If, after all these efforts, anyone is found guilty, I will hold the local government chairpersons responsible,” she said.
She also urged members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to strengthen legislation and advocacy against FGM, stressing that every girl deserves to grow up in a safe and protective environment.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Douglas Ogbueli, warned of the devastating and lasting consequences of the practice.
“Female genital mutilation leads to lifelong trauma. I encourage everyone here to spread this message to their various communities so that together we can eliminate this practice once and for all,” he said.
A representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also pledged the organisation’s continued support for the state.
“We are ready to deepen our partnership with Ebonyi women, support survivors in seeking justice, and ensure that no woman lives in fear but instead thrives in a free society,” the representative said.
The summit concluded with the presentation of an official communiqué by the Coordinator of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Taskforce in Ebonyi State, Faithvin Nwanchor.
In the joint declaration, stakeholders, survivors, and community leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing the Ebonyi State Violence Against Persons Law, 2018 (as amended in 2022), ensuring strict legal consequences for perpetrators and safeguarding the rights and dignity of every girl child in the state.
