Osun Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Barrister Olubukola Olaboopo has called for total abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation in the State and Nigeria at large based on its harmful effects on girl child.
The Commissioner disclosed this during the year 2020 celebration of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and Awareness Campaign held in Osogbo.
Barr. Olubukola Olaboopo explained that the culture and religious beliefs reinforcing the cutting or removal of genital organ is inhuman and against good conscience.
She reiterated that the Government of the State of Osun would ensure that anyone caught in the act is brought to book, while appealing to all circumcisors, women in child bearing age bracket, mother-in-laws, youths, traditional rulers and all stakeholders to cooperate with Government to put an end to female circumcision.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Pharm. Siji Olamijulo described Female Genital
Mutilation as a wicked act, explaining that it is now a punishable offence in the state of Osun for anyone to engage in the practice and that whosoever is found guilty will serve a minimum of 2years imprisonment.
He explained that female genital mutilation has been a public health challenge for a very long time and that the time has come for all and sundry to put an end to it.
A guest lecturer, Mrs Toyin Adelowokan also identified vaginal infections, chronic pain, infertility, difficult labour as some of the harmful effects of female genital mutilation.
Barrister Titiloye Kayode, a legal practitioner from the Ministry of Justice disclosed that Female Genital Mutilation, Prohibition Law 2014 stipulates that anyone who engages in female genital mutilation would be dealt with legally.
All stakeholders had earlier visited government Unity School in Osogbo to sensitize students on the need to abandon female genital mutilation.
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Pharm. Omolara Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environmental Sanitation, Mrs Oyegbile Abimbola, Mrs Amere Foluke and Alhaja Babalola Adubi.
BOLARINWA ADERETI
Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs
