By Anita Uzoagba

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) says there is an urgent need to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

The National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldine Etuk, spoke on this need at a one-day sensitisation workshop in Abuja on FGM laws, surveillance, reporting and prosecution of GBV cases.

Etuk noted that FGM was a serious human rights violation, and it has been recognised as a form of torture and violation of the rights to health, dignity and equality.

She stated that more than 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, with Nigeria having one of the highest numbers.

“In spite of being outlawed by the Federal Government, FGM is still practised in many Nigerian communities.”

Etuk said FGM was a major obstacle to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, adding that as a violation of human rights it is a major public health concern.

The NCWS president recalled that the Nigerian government passed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in 2015, which prohibits FGM and provides penalties for those who engage in the practice.

“In addition to the national law, many Nigerian states have enacted laws prohibiting FGM.”

Etuk expressed gratitude to NCWS state presidents, affiliate organisations, partners and sponsors for their support in eliminating FGM and promoting gender equality.

Mrs Yewande Gbol-Awopetu, a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, noted that FGM was sometimes seen as a rite of passage.

”It is also often seen as a prerequisite for marriage or a means to control female sexuality,” she said.

The deputy director pointed out that FGM was prohibited under Section 6 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, and those who performed or engaged in it were liable to imprisonment.

Gbol-Awopetu, who is also Head of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Response Unit, urged everyone to educate girls in their respective neighbourhoods about the dangers of FGM.

Mr Stephen Nwankwo, an official from the Federal Ministry of Health, thanked NCWS and its sponsor, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for the sensitisation programme.

He encouraged the participants to cooperate and ensure the event’s purpose was achieved, adding that the ministry was committed to eradicating FGM from Nigeria.(NAN)

AU/DE/AMM

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Abiemwense Moru)