Stakeholders call for stronger alliance to end female genital mutilation

Advocacy on ending Female Genital Mutilation took a new turn as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with development organizations, urged students in tertiary institutions to lend their voice to end the menace in our society.


The Polytechnic Ibadan received a team from UNFPA on an advocacy campaign calling for an end to female genital mutilation (FGM).

At a UNFPA-supported project organized by the Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health, in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, Mrs. Jayeola said only a collaborative effort can reduce and end this form of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices like FGM.


“According to Mrs Jayeola, FGM is a severe violation of human rights with multiple consequences,” Jayeola stated. “Today, we stand together to declare zero tolerance for FGM, as February 6th is an international day for raising awareness and showing that we no longer want to see girls subjected to this harmful practice.”

Discussing the 2025 campaign theme, Jayeola explained that the goal of the joint program in Nigeria is to end FGM by 2030. “This is our mission,” she said. “As we leave here today, everyone must become an advocate for ending FGM in this generation.”

The Director of Women program, Mr. Diya Ogunjimi, who represented the Ministry of Women Affairs, while delivering a goodwill message highlighted the state’s partnership with NGOs to include FGM as part of the gender-based violence agenda.

“We are starting a movement today to accelerate the fight against FGM and aim to end it before 2030. This is a collective effort,” Ogunjimi said. “We are committed to collaborating with all stakeholders—state actors and non-state actors—to reach every corner of Oyo State’s institutions.”

He also stressed the importance of early education on FGM for students to understand the risks and take action for their futures.

The State coordinator of the Oyo State steering committee on FGM, Mrs Balikis Olawoyin, emphasized the need to strengthen alliances and push for greater action against FGM.

“We must create a generation where no girl undergoes mutilation,” she said, pointing out the health risks of FGM that were previously unknown to many elders.

Mrs. Modupe Awosemusi discussed the legal frameworks in place to combat FGM, stressing that it is a violation of human rights, while urging for more efforts to encourage reporting of FGM and holding perpetrators accountable.

Professor Oladosu Ojengbede, Director of the Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPHR), highlighted the importance of building alliances with students to expand advocacy efforts.

“We have worked with UNFPA on many initiatives, and today we are here to establish new partnerships to push forward the mission to end FGM,” he said.

The event was attended by Polytechnic Ibadan students, student union representatives, and security personnel, all committed to advancing the campaign against the harmful practice FGM