Health worker and other citizens practicing female genital mutilation (FGM) have been warned by the Lagos State Government to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, issued the warning recently at the press briefing on ending FGM, by the Child Health Advocacy Initiatives (CHAI), in Lagos.
Idris, represented by Director Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara, said FGM is the most barbaric form of killing and harming women, leaving them psychological traumatised.
“FGM is a deeply rooted cultural believe that needs to be removed. It is not just enough to make the law, we need to call people together and create awareness on how to end FGM. In Lagos, we have 44% practise because Lagos is a multi national state with various ethnic groups. It heals with irriperable scare that prevents the woman from enjoying sex, having babies, among other harms. Everyone need to come together to fight against the practise.
We are told that 28 per cent are being conducted by health workers, but am sure it’s not in Lagos because any health worker caught doing so will be prosecuted”, he added.
During her speech, the Commissioner for Women affairs, Hon Dr. Lola Akande, said FGM is an abuse against the girl child and women hence the need to be abolished.
The Commissioner, represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Sola Falana, said Lagos is ready to collaborate with CHAI in the eradication of the practise.
“We believe this is an abuse, and we have a number you can dial to report cases of abuse in Lagos: *6820#, or text abuse to 6820.
The state government has always being in the forefront against such practices and we are ready to collaborate with CHAI in the eradication. But this is a collective effort, we need to carry out sensitization especially to our men. Today many women are not enjoying their marriage because of this FGM, it has led to so much death,” she noted.
