The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Ebonyi has dropped from 74 per cent in 2024 to 20.4 per cent in 2026.

WHO representative, Douglas Ogbueli, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Ebonyi Women’s Leadership Summit on FGM in Abakaliki.

Mr Ogbueli described the decline as a major milestone in efforts to end FGM, assuring that WHO would continue supporting the state until the practice was eradicated.

The summit was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO).

The summit brought together stakeholders to strengthen advocacy and interventions against FGM in the state.

The wife of the Ebonyi governor, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, declared zero tolerance for FGM and warned local government officials to ensure its elimination.

Mrs Nwifuru also urged lawmakers to intensify public awareness campaigns against the harmful practice across the state.

UNFPA Resident Representative, Muriel Mafico, commended Ebonyi’s progress and expressed confidence that sustained commitment would reduce FGM prevalence to zero.

A gynaecologist, Johnson Obunanna, described FGM as a violation of the rights of women and girls.

Mr Obunanna urged traditional and religious leaders to sustain advocacy and community mobilisation against the practice.

The summit attracted the wives of traditional rulers, religious leaders, women’s groups, FGM survivors and development partners committed to ending FGM.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a future free of female genital mutilation in Ebonyi. 

(NAN)