Today, Monday, 6th February is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
OWACDO marked this year’s International Day of Zero tolerance for Female Genital mutilation with a talk on Harvest FM, Makurdi.
The Executive Director, Joy Ijuwo was a guest at a TALK SHOW. This year’s Theme is “Partnering with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation“
With only 8 years remaining in this decade of action, she emphasized the need to mobilize partnerships with men and boys to end FGM.
Today, FGM is practiced in several Local Government Areas in Benue State.
Sharing her views on how to curb the practice of female genital mutilation in communities in the State, she recommended a change in traditions and abolishment with the support of older generations- grandparents, mothers, fathers, and mothers-in-law, all having their roles to play in discouraging this practice. Educating girls on their rights to decide what happens to their bodies through SGBV School Clubs in Colleges. She also stated that Religious leaders could help to dispel the myth and spread the understanding that religion does not demand FGM.
In conclusion, she stated that with all these in place, the practice will decline and gradually be outlawed by the government.