Five survivors of female genital mutilation in Oyo State have received life-changing surgical repairs for related complications.

Tolulope Babawarun, who represented the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria, disclosed this in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, organised by the Oyo State Government.

The event also witnessed the inauguration of a steering committee/technical working group for effective and sustainable management of gender-related issues.

According to Ms Babawarun, UNFPA and the Oyo State government built a strong framework that not only prevents FGM but also heals and empowers survivors.

She explained that the partnership recorded many other achievements in 2024 alone.

She stated that 30 law enforcement agents and 80 members of the judiciary had been trained in the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law.

According to her, the training is to ensure that justice is accessible to all and perpetrators are held accountable.

She disclosed that over 500,000 women and girls received quality prevention and care services “provided by 350 previously trained healthcare workers across 144 health facilities in the state.

“In the last 18 months, 45 communities in 10 local government areas have publicly declared the abandonment of FGM, signalling a deep cultural shift. Additionally, over 20 community-based organisations have been strengthened to sustain these gains.

“Most importantly, 363 babies were spared from the trauma of FGM last year—a proof that our collective efforts are making a difference where it matters most,” Ms Babawarun said.

Speaking on the significance of the commemoration, the UNFPA representative said it served as a solemn reminder of the urgent need to protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of women and girls everywhere.

She noted that FGM was not just a violation of human rights, “but also a barrier to gender equality, a threat to the health of women and girls, and a practice that has no place in our communities.”

She commended the Oyo State government for the bold step taken to inaugurate a technical working group for gender-based violence (GBV).

She said the establishment of the working group would foster an intersectoral action plan for the sustainable and complete eradication of FGM from the state by 2030.

According to her, UNFPA remains unwavering in its commitment to ending FGM by 2030. The goal is realisable with the support of all relevant stakeholders.

In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Toyin Balogun, said the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM serves as a global call to action.

Ms Balogun said that the Oyo State government was committed to building a society where gender-related issues would be effectively and sustainably managed.

She said the inauguration of the steering committee/technical working group for effective and sustainable management of gender-related issues was to tackle FGM.

According to her, it is also about holistic, gender-responsive governance and interventions that will ensure a more inclusive, just, and equitable society.

The commissioner said the committee’s first assignment was the development of an Oyo State Action Plan for the eradication of FGM before 2030.

She said the action plan must be strategic, comprehensive, and results-driven, with a clear roadmap for implementation.

The inaugurated working and technical committees comprise 70 members.

(NAN)