Follow Us on Google
Residents of thirty communities from five Local Government Areas of Osun State have unanimously agreed to put an end to the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The residents were from Irewole/Olomilagbala, Ido, Ajogba, Ifelodun, Oke Ooye, Ilo Olomo, Ajaba, Ogbagbara, Ejigbo Orangun, Ga Obalumo, Isedo, Iperin, Ile Ejenu, Idi Ago, Oke Imole, Ile Animu, Ile Ero, Oke Odo, Alajue, Ile Oke, Akoda, Oloki, Ogbagba, Ponpola, Oniyere, Otuuru, Oduola, Borrdun, Coker, and Otan Ile communities.
They made the declaration during a dialogue meeting organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Action Health Incorporated (AHI), with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The meeting, which was conducted through fifteen Community Based Organizations (CBOs), engaged traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women, artisans, and youth groups, in a reflective dialogue towards eliminating discriminatory social and gender norms and harmful practices that affect girls and women.
The participants were sensitised on the harmful effects of FGM and the need to eradicate the practice, while myths surrounding FGM were also debunked during the discussion.
The participants applauded the impact of the dialogues through the insights shared and pledged to end the practice and report anyone caught to the appropriate authorities.
A resident of Otuuru community, Yunus Ibrahim, shared how the program has opened his eyes and made him more knowledgeable about FGM.
Ibrahim noted that his belief was that girls who were not circumcised would be wayward, adding that the engagement by Action Health Incorporated has changed his mindset on the issue.
Community leaders in Otan-Ile, Obokun Local Government Area, Chief Banji Fayinminu, Mr Gbadamosi Ahmed, and Mr Tajudeen Oyerinde stated that the town decided to ban the practice because of the danger it poses to girls and women.
“The organiser has spoken to us and we understand better now. I want to appeal to my people to take this seriously and anyone caught engaging in the act will be handed over to the authorities,” one of the community leaders said.
Other News
Residents of Ilo Olomo community of Ilesa East Local Government also declared their support for the abandonment of FGM, validating that FGM not only challenges existing cultural myths but also has a harmful impact on relationships and women’s well-being.
The community reinforced that ending FGM is in the best interest of both women and men in the community.
The Olu Boredun of Ilase-Ijesa, Obokun Local Government, Oba Blessing Olasunkanmi, affirmed that the community under his leadership has vowed to end female circumcision.
Oba Olasunkanmi also promised to report anyone who engaged in such practice to the authorities.
The monarch said, “On behalf of myself, the chiefs as well as residents of Boredun community, we hereby declare that in our community, we have put an end to Female Genital Mutilation.
One of the Chief Executive Officers of the CBOs engaged for the dialogue meetings, Mr Michael Olusesi, of Mowalek Centre for Sustainable Community Development, urged the participants to pass the message across to other members of the community and ensure they keep to their promises.
“We are here in Boredun community to dialogue with residents of the community on the need to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation,” Olusesi said.
He further appreciated the UNFPA and Action Health Incorporated for providing the platform to engage the residents.
“We thank UNFPA and AHI for giving our organisation the opportunity to do this for our people. They have been helping in ensuring that our people live a healthy and better life.”
