Owerri—No fewer than 20 staff of Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, as well as community women leaders, have been trained to carry out the message for the stoppage of Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, in the area.
The inauguration and training of the local government technical committee on FGM took place, yesterday, at the local government headquarters.
Representative of the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Health, Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Blessing Obi, described the practice of FGM as dangerous to the girl child.
She also said Ikeduru is one of the areas with prevalent practice of FGM.
According to Obi, “for two years now, UNICEF, UNFPA, and other World agencies have mounted vigorous enlightenment and mobilisation campaign on the need to eradicate the practice of FGM in our communities.
“Here in Imo State, this local government area is one of the areas with high prevalence of the practices and UNICEF has supported the Federal Government, states and NGOs to mount mobilisation and enlightenment campaigns on the effects on FGM on the health of the girl child and women in our society.”
Experts that trained participants include the UNICEF consultant for Imo and Abia states, Mr. Ben Mbakwem, and the Imo State Director of National Orientaion Agency, NOA, Mr. Vitus Ekeocha.
Originally posted on Vanguard: