Genital Mutilation: NOA, UNICEF Prescribe 14 Yrs Imprisonment

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) yesterday warned that those engaging in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Imo State risk 14 years imprisonment.
The two organisations said that Imo State was among the five states in Nigeria with high rates of FGM practice.
The NOA Director in Imo State, Mr Vitus Ekeocha, gave the warning at a sensitisation seminar organised by NOA in partnership with UNICEF in Nkwesi autonomous community in Oguta Local Government area.
Participants at the seminar included president generals, youth leaders and other stakeholders drawn from the 24 autonomous communities in the area.
Addressing them on the theme “Male Engagement to End Female Genital Mutilation”, Ekeocha said ignorance of the law prohibiting FGM would not exempt offenders.
He said that Imo State FGM Prohibition Law stipulated that while offenders risk 14 years imprisonment, those who aided the act would be subjected to seven years imprisonment.
Ekeocha stressed the need for zero tolerance for FGM, adding that those who were still in the practice could be arrested by security agencies without any warrant of arrest.
He said NOA and UNICEF decided to engage the male folks to join in the struggle to end FGM as they were critical stakeholders in the struggle.
“We want to increase the advocacy skill on the male group and also develop a plan of action for the elimination of FGM.