Ebonyi, Imo States Rank Highest In Female Genital Mutilation – UNICEF

Dr. Ibrahim Conteh, the chief of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Enugu field office, yesterday, stated that Ebonyi and Imo states rank highest on the rates of female genital mutilation in the southeast region of the country. Conte stated this in Enugu while addressing stakeholders to mark this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

According to him, “The practice is injurious and of no benefits to the girl-child and the society. That is why we call for collaborative efforts towards eradicating this harmful practice. Currently, UNICEF is collaborating with governments and other stakeholders to add to school curriculum, studies that discourage female genital mutilation and cutting. I encourage Ebonyi and Imo states to initiate programmes and laws to sanction communities and persons that still practice female genital mutilation and cutting.”

Dr. Chidi Ezinwa, a lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Technology, ESUT, who spoke at the event, urged parents to avoid subjecting their children and wards to the dangers of female genital mutilation, saying, “A girl-child that undergoes genital mutilation faces complications, such as severe pains, shock, excessive bleeding, infections as well as adverse effects on the her reproductive and mental health.”

The theme of this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is, “Unleashing Youth Power”.

THE WHISTLER gathered that some proponents of the practice claim the measure was to curb promiscuity among females. Health experts have however also said such belief should be avoided as ‘females are meant to enjoy sex’.