NAWOJ Advocates End Female Genital Mutilation To Traditional Ruler, Osun Communities
By Ranti Ojewumi,
Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Osun Chapter has advocated end female genital mutilation/circumcision to a popular traditional ruler and Osun communities.
The female journalists led by the state Chairperson, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola were at the palace of Olufon of Ifon Orolu kingdom to advocate end FGM against female children and women in Ifon Orolu and its communities.
In his address, the traditional ruler of the town, HRM Oba Peter Ipadeola Ilufemiloye Akinyooye Aremo Obatala, the Olufon of Ifon described Female Genital Mutilation as barbaric, a practice which must be abolished.
Oba Akinyooye emphasized that FGM against female children and women is prevalent in some parts of Nigeria, and he called out to leaders in the communities under his kingdom, and to everyone in the state to ensure that the practice is totally nipped in the bud.
Describing the negative effect of FGM, he added that it is the duty of everyone to ensure that a safe environment is provided for female children and women in communities, right from homes, and he declared his support for end female genital mutilation, while he also urged traditional birth attendants and practitioners of FGM/C to ensure that it is stopped, in the interest of the victims.
In her remark, the Osun state Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola, stated that advocacy visit which is in commemoration of the international day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation, is in line with the global call of sustaining the success story achieved, and ensuring that there’s no retrogression into the practice.
According to her, the elimination of FGM by year 2030, is a global standard which requests collective actions, and creating a sustainable environment for girls and women can exercise their power and choice, enjoying full rights to health, education, and safety.
To promote the elimination of female genital mutilation, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and that is where engagement of communities comes in, hence meeting the traditional ruler and members of communities to jointly strategize to eliminate the practice which erodes human rights and safety of girls and women.
Appreciating the monarch for his commitment to protecting girls and women against Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision, she stated that the advocacy campaign will involve different traditional rulers, adding that it will also be spread to all communities in Osun state.
At the advocacy visit were traditional leaders and Osun NAWOJ state executive, among others.