The Kwara State government has mobilised religious and community leaders in Fate, Ilorin South Local Government Area, in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM).

The state, in collaboration with the Global Hope for Women and Children (GLOHWOC), on Monday, held a town hall meeting with Imams, artisans, and community leaders to discuss the effects and implications of FGM.

The director, social welfare, ministry of social development, Kayode James, said the essence of the sensitisation was to enlighten residents of the community of the dangers inherent in the continued practice of FGM.

He said the government found out that the menace was still prevalent in the state, hence, the need for mass education of the residents to stop the act which has no health or mental benefits.

Mr James said that the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2020 would be fully implemented on any erring citizen after the mass sensitisation.

GLOHWOC CEO, Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, said statistics still showed that one out of three girls in Kwara receive cuts.

”So we are standing up to ensure that Kwara has zero tolerance for FGM and other harmful traditional practices.

”It is imperative to clear the myths and beliefs about FGM as people just engage in it as a tradition and not knowing what it fully entails.

”Most of the people indulging in the practice mean no harm because it is the culture and tradition they met on ground.

”So, we have to make them see the health, mental and psychological consequences of the act which has been with us for more than 5000 years.

”This is why we are holding the town hall advocacy to carry everyone along and clear their age-long belief on the harmful traditional practices,” she said.

Mr Abayomi-Oluwole said FGM had caused more harm to victims, ranging from non sexual satisfactions, loss of blood, infections, pains during menstruation and childbirth.

Another GLOWHOC official, Segun Adeyemi, said that men have a huge role to play in the campaign against FGM since they were the decision makers in the homes.

The district head of Fate Communiy, Abdulmumin Ayoku, commended the initiative to clear the myths regarding FGM and urged men to join the advocacy.

He said the communities that practice FGM were ignorant of the harmful effect because the people were rooted in culture and traditions.

Mr Ayoku said that the advocacy to the community, had now enlightened and educated the people of the harmful effect of FGM.

Kwara ranked second with 58 per cent after Imo state, which has 62 per cent in FGM prevalence in Nigeria.

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) was also a facilitator of the advocacy programme.

 (NAN)