UNFPA moves to end FGM in Nigeria

By Ikenna Osuoha

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Tuesday, launched an innovation to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria

Launching the innovation in Abuja, Deputy Country Representative, UNFPA, Ms Erika Goldson, said that it would accelerate efforts toward ending FGM in the country.

Goldson said that the innovation was conceived by UNFPA East and Southern Regional Office (ESARO) to stem the tide of the menace.

The deputy country representative, who lauded the innovation, called for support from relevant stakeholders to end FGM.

He described FGM as a harmful act without any medical benefit, saying it had increased over the years.

“In Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2018, 20 per cent of the women with the armful practice are between the ages of 15 to 49,” she said.

Goldson, however, called for end to the harmful practice, to save and protect women from its medical dangers.

Also speaking, Mr Steven Nwankwo, of the Ministry of Health, affirmed the ministry’s support for the innovation to end FGM.

Nwankwo expressed appreciation for the effort made by Mr Dirug Samuel and the designers of the innovation app, reassuring them of the ministry’s unwavering support.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was initiated by UNFPA, in collaboration with UNICEF.

(NAN)