Osun First Lady Reiterates Commitment to Ending FGM, Calls for Legislation to Strengthen Punishment of Offenders
By Titilola Olaniyan,
Osun state First Lady, Chief Mrs Titilola Adebusola Adeleke has reaffirmed her commitment to ending Female Genital Mutilation FGM in the state.
Mrs Titilola Adeleke gave this assurance when speaking at a one-day high-level symposium on female gentital mutilation legal provisions, enforcement and prosecution, organised in collaboration with Action Health Incorporated and United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, held at the State Banquet Hall, Government House, Osun State.
The Osun First Lady who made the disclosure that her office will remain devoted to the protection of women and girls to stamp out female genital mutilation, noted that FGM is not only a violation of human rights but also a harmful traditional practice that endangers the health, dignity, and future of girls and women.
She warned that perpetrators of FGM would be held accountable and prosecuted in accordance with the established law.
The First Lady also added that Osun state government is working closely with relevant institutions to strengthen compliance and enforce strict penalty on offenders to serve as deterrent to other intending offenders.
Adeleke acknowledged the contributions of Action Health Incorporated (AHI), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare in advancing the anti-FGM campaign, promising a stronger synergy between the government, development partners, traditional rulers, community leaders, and civil society organizations and other stakeholders towards achieving the desired change.
The Mother of the state called on parents, caregivers, and religious leaders to take a stand against FGM and protect the girl-child.
According to her, “Osun State will not tolerate Female Genital Mutilation in any form. As a mother, as a leader, and as a woman, I am committed to ensuring that every girl grows up free from the pain and trauma of this harmful practice, she affirmed.”
Speakers at the event among whom were the wife of the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Deaconess (Mrs.) Olusola Adewusi, Mrs Mojisola Aina, wife of the Head of Service , representative of UNFPA, Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji applauded the First Lady steadfastness in championing the advocacy against the traditional culture of FGM practice in providing sustainable solutions to end FGM in Osun.
In his goodwill message, the Orangun of Oke-Iia, Oba Dr Adedokun Abolarin urged the traditional institution to shun Female Genital Mutilation practice, while he also asked that interference on an offenders issue should be stopped.
He commended the Osun First Lady for the programme, and assured that royal fathers in the state supports the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation, as he called on members of communities, traditional North attendants and health practitioners to stop the practice of FGM.
Similarly the Osun state House of Assembly Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Hon. Abiola Jeremiah Awoyeye, and Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Biodun Afeez Ibrahim maintained that indeed that law exist, they both frowned at the prevalent rate of 76.6-percent statistics rate of Osun stature.
The lawmakers assured the Anti-FGM ambassadors of the enactment of legal provisions, enforcement and prosecution, and urged the security operatives and judiciary to be proactive in implementing the FGM law against offenders in Osun state.
The symposium brought together eggs heads with deliberations on sustainable and achievable actions plans to make Osun FGM free, highlighted the health, psychological, and social consequences of the practice on women and girls.
Stakeholders present include, Special Adviser to the Governor on Children Affairs, Hon. Temilade Khalid, Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Michael Oyerinde, representative of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Famakinwa; representative of the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Barr. Folasade Akinrujumu; Representative of AHI, Mrs. Fatima Idris, Executive Secretary, Bureau of Disability, Rotarian Ayobami Oyewumi Oyekunle, Grand Imam of Osun State, Imam Abdulsalam Akinwumi, FOMWAN Amira Alhaja Sadiat Oladapo, representative of the Ministry of Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Babaloja’s representative Chief Adedayo, Chairman of Osun State’s CAN, Reverend Adeleke; Nigeria Association of Female Journalists NAWOJ, Civil Society Organisations among others.