FG Inaugurates Committee To Eliminate FGM In Nigeria

The Federal Government has inaugurated a ministerial ad- hoc committee to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.
The committee was inaugurated on Monday in Abuja by the Director of Family Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Boladele Alonge.
She was represented by the Head of the Gender, Adolescent School Health and Elderly Care division of the ministry, Dr. John Ovuoraye,.
Dr. Alonge said it was estimated that globally, at least 200 million girls and women have been subjected to the practice of FGM, adding that about 10 per cent out of the number reside in Nigeria.
“Although the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reported a decline in the national prevalence of the practice between 2013 and 2018, some three million girls and women are still at risk,” she added.
The director defined FGM as all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
According to her, the act is a violation of the human rights of women and girls.
She said that the National Policy and Plan of Action for the Elimination of FGM provided a clear plan to guide the activities of different stakeholders in all fields.
According to her, it also provided a clear plan to guide systems and practices, including requests that attention be given to identified emerging hotspot states.
“The purpose is to ensure that men and women, boys and girls in all their diversity are well informed on the dangers of the practice and be fully involved in the elimination process of the barbaric custom.
“The committee is, therefore, expected to work with the national technical committee, which is the central coordinating and advisory body to the Federal Ministry of Health on issues of FGM toward implementing activities to eliminate the menace.’’
The Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Population Fund, Nigeria, Dr. Christian Subam, , said according to UNFPA estimates in 2023, more than 4.3 million girls are at risk of FGM.
According to him, the number is projected to reach 4.6 million by 2030, as conflicts, climate change, rising poverty and inequality continue to hinder efforts to transform gender and social norms that underpin the harmful practice and disrupt programmes that help protect girls.
he said, “In Nigeria, the NDHS 2018 notes that 20 per cent of all women aged 15 to 49, have undergone FGM, while 19.2 per cent of girls aged 0 to 14 have undergone FGM.
“This is in spite of a decrease in the national prevalence from 25 per cent to 20 per cent (2013, 2018 NDHS).
“Nigerian women and girls represent 22 per cent of the 68 million at risk of being mutilated by 2030, which is 14.8 million women and girls.”
Sabum said that the medicalisation of FGM in Nigeria remained a threat and that there is a need for escalated awareness creation.