The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emphasizes the crucial need to intensify advocacy efforts to eliminate the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
She spoke at the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the elimination of FGM, themed “Delivering the Global Promise.”
“We need to empower survivors by providing comprehensive medical, legal, and psychological services to help them regain their dignity.
“We should foster partnerships by engaging with women’s groups, forming alliances with young people, civil society, faith-based organizations, and the government. This collaboration will help mobilize resources, share best practices, and create a sustainable movement against gender-based violence and Female Genital Mutilation,” she said.
The First Lady stressed that the practice is totally unacceptable as it not only affects the survivors physically, emotionally, and psychologically, but over time, these adverse effects diminish their overall well-being, restrict their opportunities to exercise their rights, and hinder the realization of their full potential.
“Change begins with each of us. Our actions, no matter how small, have the potential to create a ripple effect of transformation in our communities towards a future free from Female Genital Mutilation.
“In my capacity as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I make a commitment today to lend my support in delivering the global promise to end Female Genital Mutilation,” she added.
In his remarks at the event, which had participants from over 12 countries in attendance, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, represented by his SSA on Health, Uju Rochas, assured the gathering that the Federal Government has begun putting together policies and programs to ensure this harmful practice is totally eliminated.
He noted that the Federal Government is looking to further improve the education of the girl child so she can make more informed choices about her health.
One of the highlights of the event was a spoken word performance by a survivor, who captured in her presentation the long-reaching negative effects of FGM on the psyche of survivors.
The annual technical consultation of the UNFPA-UNICEF is a platform for exchanging lessons, achievements, and challenges faced in the implementation of the program.
