About 11 communities in Afikpo North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi have expressed their readiness and commitment to put an end to the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the area.
The communities’ new disposition was a reaction to the outcome of the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP) survey, which showed that the area had 70.4 per cent FGM prevalence among women between the ages of 15 and 49.The State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Emma Abah, made this known on Saturday in Amuro Mgbom, during a public denunciation of FGM by traditional institutions and the people of the area.
Abah said that Afikpo North had the second-highest prevalence of FGM in the state after Ohaukwu LGA prevalence of 72.6 per cent.
He said that the communities in the LGA declared a commitment to end the unwholesome act because of its consequences.
“Based on the UNJP baseline survey, Afikpo North LGA is the second highest prevalence of 70.4 per cent in the state.
“Since 2015, UNICEF had supported its partners, NOA, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Global Health Awareness Research Foundation, among others to implement activities at the community and local government levels for intervention,” Abah said.
The NOA boss urged the communities to set a surveillance team in their various communities to ensure total compliance.
He commended UNICEF representative and Chief Field Officer, Enugu, Mr Ibrahim Conte, the Child Protection Specialist, Family Succor and Upliftment Foundation and other state partners for achieving the public declaration.
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