…As UNICEF decries prevalence of FGM/C in S’East
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The use of Petroleum Jelly to press down the clitoris of female babies is as bad as female genital mutilation/cutting, FGM/C, according to a Public Health Consultant, Dr Chimezie Obasi.
Dr Obasi who spoke while presenting a paper at a UNICEF zonal media dialogue in Enugu organised for select media practitioners from South-East, said that anything other than leaving the clitoris in its natural state is unnecessary.
This is as Imo and Ebonyi States, have been identified as the states with highest incidents of female genital mutilation/ cutting in the South-East.
According to UNICEF, about 1.4 billion US dollars is said to be spent annually across the globe in the management of complications arising from FGM/C.
Some of the complications include: excessive bleeding, infections, urination problems, sexual dysfunction, severe pains and chronic pain.
Others include: menstrual problems, childbirth complications, surgery complications, depression, anxiety, emotional distress, among others.
UNICEF also said that “over 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM/C.”
Dr Obasi described FGM/C as a gross violation of the fundamental rights of girls and women.
He declared that “FGM/C has no health benefits and violates human rights.”
Obasi further said: “FGM/C involves intentional procedures that alter or injure the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. It is recognised internationally as a human rights violation.”
Dr Obasi refuted some of the wrong notions held by perpetrators of the harmful practice which include the belief that it signifies a rite of passage into womanhood; and that uncut girls are ‘dirty.’
He also described as ridiculous, the belief in some cultures that FGM/C makes the dowries of women to appreciate.
Dr Obasi further blamed cultural and religious beliefs as part of the reasons the harmful practice is lingering despite awareness campaigns against it.
Citing UNICEF statistics, he said that FGM/C prevalence among women aged 15-49 years dropped from 25% in 2013 to 20% in 2018.
He, however, regretted that FGM/C among girls aged 0-14 increased from 16.9% to 19.2% within the same period.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria has the third highest number of FGM/C survivors globally, with an estimated 19.9 million women affected.
He further lamented the lack of political will by the authorities to enforce laws preventing FGM/C.
According to him, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015, which criminalises and punishes FGM/C nationwide is treated with levity.
He noted that some states, including Enugu, have additional laws against FGM/C, but regretted that many states and the law enforcement agencies are weak at implementation.
He called for increased media awareness and education of the public on the dangers of FGM/C.
In a remark, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, decried the prevalence of the barbaric practice in the South’East region of the country.
According to her, Imo State, followed by Ebonyi, tops the table on the number of states with high prevalence of FGM in South-East.
She said: “We still have unacceptable prevalence rates across the South-East states, with Imo State ranking 1 at 38°% prevalence among women age l5-49 years and 9.7% prevalence among girls age 0-14 years. Similarly, prevalence among women age 15-49 years in Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu and Anambra states stands at 20.4%, 20.3%, 19% and 13.1% respectively. For girls aged 0-14 years, prevalence stands at 3.7%, 3.0%, 2.1% and 0.29% respectively for Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states (MICS 2021).
“While we appreciate the drop in prevalence (especially among women age 15 – 49) when compared to previous years’ MICS and NDHS data, this is the most critical time to step up the pace, especially through strengthening alliances among grassroots activists, communities, governments, organisations and the private sector to build a powerful social movement that ends harmful norms, and build movements, even as we advocate and amplify our voices.”
She said that “WHO, UNICEF, & UNFPA” target the total elimination of FGN/C by 2030.
Speaking earlier, the Communications Officer, UNICEF Field Office Enugu, Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, solicited the support of the media in the campaign against FGM/C.
She appealed to media practitioners to be more deliberate in using their various platforms to sensitise members of the public about the dangers of the barbaric and harmful practice.
The event titled “Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM,” featured interactions by participants on the way to fight the scourge.
It was organised in partnership with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, BCA.
