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
challenges 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, difficulty labour has some of
the harmful effect 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.
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