The House of Representatives has called for a nationwide sensitisation against female genital mutilation by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and the National Orientation Agency. The resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by Ganiyu Johnson, titled ‘Need to Eradicate the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria.’Moving the motion, Johnson recalled that in 2003, the United Nations, while observing the need to eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation, declared February 6 as the International Day for the Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation. The lawmaker noted that the move was to create a global awareness of the dangers of female genital mutilation and drum support for the protection of the physical and mental health of women and girls. He explained that female genital mutilation comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, which has been regarded internationally as a violation of the rights and health of women and girls. The lawmaker stated that female genital mutilation is an act of violence against women and girls and amounts to a violation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015.

Source: Punch February 11, 2022 02:19 UTC