As the world marks the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), stakeholders in Ondo State have called for sustainable solutions to end the practice of female Genital mutilation in the state.
They emphasized the need to engage traditional birth attendants and faith-based organizations in discouraging female genital mutilation at a sensitization event to celebrate 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Female Circumcision.
The event was organized by Global Awarenesses for Healthy Living Initiative, (GHALI), Faracare Foundation For Human Development (FARDEF), and Kids & Teens Resources Centre, Ondo state in partnership with Ondo state Alternative medicine Board.
GHALI Executive Director, Mrs. Margaret Adebayo, emphasized the severe health consequences, including pain, bleeding, infections, obstructed labor, and maternal mortality.
The Executive Directors of FARDEF and K&TRC, Mrs. Olufisoye Adenitan and Mrs. Folasade Bamigboye, respectively, reinforced the commitment to using media for advocacy against gender-based violence and urged participants to take action against FGM’s harmful effects and urged participants to take action against the practice of Female genital mutilation, considering the enormous challenges it poses to women and girls’ health.
In her remarks, the Former Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Gender, Chief Mrs Olamide Falana, called on traditional birth attendants to abandon the practice and report violators, citing legal consequences.
Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, Mrs. Bolanle Afolabi, pledged the agency’s commitment to protecting women and girls’ rights in the state
Others who spoke at the event,include the President of Women-Led NGO in Ondo State Ambassador Chaplain Folake Esan, and the Administrative Secretary Alternative Medicine Board Mrs Lucy Ranti Akerele joined their voices to condemn the act
During a panel discussion at the event, The representative of the Director of Family Health, Ministry of Health Dr. Toyin Adeyalo-Ogundare Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Ibukun Akindele, and a representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers Mrs. Debbie Dmonster-Sagba called for collaboration between government and the faith-based organizations, traditional birth attendants and youth led- organization to eradicate the practice.
Dr. Adeyalo-Ogundare educated participants on the health risks, while Mrs. Dmonster-Sagba outlined the legal consequences for perpetrators.
The event, which was anchored by Reverend Mrs Bola Inyang, also had in attendance Dr Mrs Faozat Aragbaye.
As the fight against FGM continues, stakeholders remain committed to advocacy, legal enforcement, and community engagement to protect women and girls in Ondo State and beyond.