UNFPA solicits Oyo govt support to eradicate female genital mutilation

As part of effort to reduce to a barest minimum, the menace of female genital mutilation in the country, the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA)  with the assistance of Government of Canada on Monday solicited for the support of the Oyo state government towards eradicating heinous practice in the state.

Paying a courtesy visit to the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, UNFPA Nigeria team leader, Dr Sabrina Pestile expressed the organisation’s readiness to eradicate the practice of female circumcision in the country, urging residents to desist from mutilating the genital of the girl child.

Sabrina noted that Southwest recorded the highest prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria  despite the geo-political zone’s high literacy, emphasising on wholesale sensitization and awareness to put an end to the trend.

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The maternal health adviser maintained that asides that, various religious organizations have condemned the act, female genital mutilation because it has both physical and psychological negative consequences.

Dr Sabrina further informed that the UNFPA’s goal is to reduce the prevalence of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM), Obstetric Fistula, Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) among others.

She also added that the budget earmark for the  project is to the tune of $6 million USD for a period of three years (2018-2021).

Responding, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, on behalf of the state government appreciated the organization for their resolve to eradicate FGM, assuring them of the necessary support and cooperation.