Imo communities back UNICEF, NOA on War Against FGM

As the nation marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 2024, with the theme Her Voice, Her Future. This is the sequel to the input of UNICEF and the National Orientation Agency in eliminating FGM. It is important to note that all the communities in Oguta had previously abandoned this ugly trend.

The sustained efforts of the Oguta community to eliminate the FGM/C still lingering in some communities in the state serve as a source of concern to the stakeholders within Imo communities.

This is even as the community leaders and traditional rulers within Oguta have threatened to sanction parents/organizations found wanting to obey the rules and regulations guiding the abolition of this ugly trend. The Oguta communities acknowledged the remarkable input of UNICEF and NOA in putting to a halt this trend of FGM.

Our Correspondent who visited some of these communities to ascertain the level of compliance with sensitization against the FGM by Oguta indigenes, reports that this negative practice has drastically reduced with almost 90% compliance.

Stakeholders of the Oguta communities who spoke on the issue, including Traditional rulers, Religious leaders, President General, the traditional ruler Eze

The traditional ruler disclosed that a resolution has been adopted to report culprits to the state government and other relevant agencies for appropriate sanction. He stressed that the mechanism has been put in place to fish out the community members in this ugly practice.

A pastor in the Oguta community, Johnson Ohanwe disclosed that a surveillance team has been established in each community, to watch out for members of his congregation that indulgences in such negative acts, as they will not tolerate a situation where individuals engage in practices that has been abolished within the communities.

The clergyman submitted that the congregation has gone ahead to obtain the birth certificate of every girl child and monitored same to ensure that they are not subjected to FGM and to report those found guilty of it to law enforcement agencies for possible arrest and prosecution.

In his contribution, a woman leader within the Oguta community, Mrs. Udoka Nwakwe said that the fight against FGM in the LGA acquired stronger impetus following the shocking revelation by UNICEF and NOA that 4.4 million girls are at risk of FGM.

According to her, this figure is projected to increase by the year 2030.

Also, reacting-an octogenarian and community leader,-Chief Timothy Iwudibia denounced FGM as a discredited cultural practice, tantamount to man’s inhumanity to man.

“Our people stopped this practice a long time ago, I advised them to maintain the momentum. According to him, as a grandfather, I have made sure that none of my grand female babies suffer FGM while I am still alive.’