Female Genital Mutilation Still Rampant in Osun, Ebonyi – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund has bemoaned the high prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation -also referred to as- Cutting in Osun, Ebonyi and Ekiti States despite the existing legislation against the harmful practice in the country.

According to the Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF, Maryam Enyiazu, the practice was more prevalent in the southern part of Nigeria than in the northern states.

She said, “Female Genital Mutilation is a very harmful traditional practice. It is more common in the southern part of the country than in the North. Osun has 77 per cent prevalence rate; Ebonyi 74 per cent and Ekiti State has 72 per cent. The victims- girls are usually circumcised between age three and seven years.”

The National President of Inter-African Committee on Female Genital Mutilation, Prof. Modupe Onadeko,said it was worrisome that some persons were still mutilating female children despite the legislation.

Onadeko, who is a Consultant , Reproductive and Family Health, University College Hospital, Ibadan, stated that some of the victims live with permanent scare on their vaginas, adding that the practice was high in Osun, Oyo and Ekiti States in the South West, saying the practice had shown to be ineffective to curb promiscuity which those promoting it gave as one of the reason for engaging in it.

She called on all governors wives, religious leaders and traditional rulers to support the campaign against FGM/C in Nigeria. She also revealed that over 90 per cent of the prosperity’s interviewed were circumcised, saying this had defeated the claim that female circumcise prevents promiscuity among ladies.