Oyo State partners UNFPA, FZI and CCPRH to end female genital Mutilation in Lagelu communities

In a significant step towards the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Oyo State, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Oyo State Government, Frontida Zois Initiative (FZI), and the Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH), held a consensus-building meeting aimed at FGM abandonment across five communities in Lagelu Local Government Area (LGA).

The project is a collaborative and holistic approach aimed at ending FGM in Oyo State through education, enforcement, and community support, at the Teacher’s Hall, Lagelu LGA Secretariat in Ibadan, where the event organised was aimed to foster community-driven action against FGM under the theme “Consensus Building Towards FGM Abandonment.

Mrs. Bilikisu Olawoyin, the Oyo State FGM coordinator from the State Primary Health Care Board, led an educational session on the basic facts of FGM. She presented data on the prevalence of FGM across states, with Oyo State having some of the highest rates, particularly in Kajola and Akinyele LGAs.

Mrs. Olawoyin also explained the severe health complications of FGM, which range from intense pain and excessive bleeding to chronic issues like clitoral neuroma and problems during childbirth.

Mrs. Petra Ogunfowokan, CEO of Frontida Zois Initiative and Program Manager for the project said the project is a multi-phase approach to promoting FGM abandonment across five communities in Lagelu LGA: Odo-Oba, Ofagbo, Lagun, Ejioku, and Isokan.

She said that the phase one involved meetings with local rulers who welcomed the initiative wholeheartedly and the second phase would focus on training community champions who will create awareness in their communities about the dangers of FGM.

Mrs Ogunfowokan noted that the third phase includes a feedback dialogue with communities, the fourth phase, this consensus-building meeting which will bring together representatives from law enforcement agencies like the Nigeria Police and the Vigilante group and the last phase which will involve the presentation of certificates to the communities.

Mr. Emmanuel Yelotan, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Center for Comprehensive Promotion for Reproductive Health, highlighted that the project is part of a broader initiative across four LGAs in Oyo State, working towards the UNFPA’s goal of ending FGM by 2030.

He expressed gratitude to UNFPA for its vital support, emphasizing that the project involves training for various community groups, including health workers and traditional circumcisers.

He added that Oyo State has laws under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act that impose strict penalties on FGM violators, with offenders facing up to five years in prison or fines.

The female genital mutilation of girl hild is hereby prohibited. Any person who performs FGM or engages another to carry out such mutilation commits an offence. Liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 4 years or to a fine not exceeding 500,000 or both

Any person who incites, aids, abets or counsels another person to commit the offence under this section commits an offence. Liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding 200,000 or both

Community leaders, like Azeez Olanrewaju, Development Officer for Lagelu, and Chief Joel Alayande from Isokan, pledged to further this campaign by educating their communities on FGM’s harmful effects.

Chief Alayande also suggested adding FGM awareness to school curriculum and urged law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce penalties, believing these actions will positively transform their communities.

The ongoing project represents a collaborative and holistic approach aimed at ending FGM in Oyo State through education, enforcement, and community support.