The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Ondo State Chapter has condemned the circumcision of female child popularly called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), describing the act as wicked and primitive that needs to be jettisoned.
The global community observes February 6th annually as the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation. FGM is an extreme form of discrimination against women, reflecting deep-rooted gender inequality.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003.
At this year awareness day, the President of NCWS, Pastor Mrs Jumoke Aborode said the act of circumcision of female genital organ is dangerous and risky to the health of female children.
In her words, ” Female Genital Mutilation act has caused a lot of damages to women. We have come together as a body to say no and total condemnation to this barbaric act”.
The President further said it is uncalled for at this 21st Century to see any race or tribe under the pretence of religion to circumcise their female children, adding that all women should rise up and speak with one voice against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Mrs Aborode said the president in all the 18 Local Governments have joined hand together with the State President to totally condenm female circumcision, adding that women should have freedom and sense of belonging among others.
As many as 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide currently live with the consequences of this dangerous practice. The U.S. government supports the women and men around the world who denounce this egregious practice and act to abolish it.
” At this challenging time, healthcare workers can continue supporting multisectoral efforts towards the elimination of FGM by 2030 by striving to ensure quality care is provided for girls and women with FGM health complications”.
She tasked every women Society and stakeholders in Ondo not to relent in preaching against Female Genital Mutilation, noting that the criminal act must come to abrupt end in the society.
