In an effort to eradicate some harmful practices that affect the health and rights of women and girls in Nigeria, the National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, has championed the campaign and sensitization of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) surveillance Law, Reporting and Prosecution of GBV cases as Part of the activities to mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
The one day sensitization program held at the NCWS headquarters, Abuja in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA was to enlighten women and also informed that practicing of FGM is a total violation of human right that calls for prosecution
The Acting National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldine Etuk, speaking during the event lamented that in spite of the fact that FGM had been outlawed in Nigeria, some sections of the country still practise it, which she described as a form of torture on women and girls.
Mrs Etuk highlighted the program’s focus on community engagement and empowering members on FGM and SGBV through robust legal frameworks.
According to her, “FGM is a serious human rights violation that has been recognized as a form of torture and a violation of the rights to health, dignity, and equality.
“It is estimated that over 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, with Nigeria having one of the highest prevalence rates”, she noted.
She added that “GBV, including FGM, is a major obstacle to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. It is a violation of human rights and a major public health concern.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-Gneral of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Asabe Vilita called for the strengthening of laws against Sexual and Gender-Based violence (SGBV) to ensure offenders face justice, stressing the need for decisive legal action to protect survivors.
Dr Vilita urged the government to fully implement the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, highlighting concerns that perpetrators often evade justice, undermining the fight against SGBV
Some of the personalities who graced the occasion included Mr. Stephen Nwankwo from the Federal Ministry of Health, thanked the NCWS and its sponsor, the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, for the sensitisation programme.
Nwankwo encouraged the participants to cooperate and ensure that the purpose of the event was achieved, adding that the ministry was doing its best to eradicate FGM from Nigeria.
On his part, the head of SGBV at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Yewande Gbola-Awopetu said the ministry was planning with other sectors to make sure they bring FGM to end in Nigeria, as she advised state.presidents of the NCWS and other members to set up a surveillance team to work with traditional leaders, the police and other well-meaning Nigerians who would not compromise to bring FGM and other related GBV cases to an end.
