*Say offenders are liable to pay fine
*Allege Nurses Involvement In FGM Practices
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
Following the long time education and enlightenment against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Afikpo LGA of Ebonyi State, stakeholders in the area have expressed satisfaction over the drastic reduction in the practice of FGM in the area, saying that offenders are liable to pay fine if found guilty.
They also alleged that some nurses are also encouraging the practice but the age-grade system and NGOs are monitoring their activities to stop any form of abuse.
In an interview with the women coordinator of FGM in Afikpo LGA of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Chinyere Okogwu, explained that FGM practices in the area has been reduced drastically from over 70% to less than 20% as a result of the efforts and support from religious institutions (Christian and Traditional) to stop the obnoxious practices because of its harmful nature to human health.
According to the women leader, the religious institutions have played significant roles to stop FGM practices across the communities in Afikpo LGA.
Mrs. Okogwu further explained that, in an effort to stop FGM completely, the traditional institution more especially the age-grade system have placed a fine of fifty thousand Naira against anybody caught in the practice, adding that there has been sensitization campaign, workshops, rallies to churches, markets, and other public places to create awareness for people to know the negative effects.
She also noted that the Christian religious leaders have also done a lot to support the fight by checkmating such practices during child dedication to know wether the baby is cut or not, and also telling the members about the consequences over the baby.
She alleged that there are still pockets of such practices being carried out and supported by nurses secretly in some health centres, but the age-grade system and stakeholders are currently monitoring their activities.
`After the open declaration to stop FGM in 2019,at Afikpo Local Government Area, there are still few cases of such practices.FGM is almost off, we have few or minimal cases.But generally, female genital mutilation has been reduced drastically in our LGA.
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“Before now, we used to have up to 70% cases of FGM but now, you can’t get up to 20% of it in our localities. The religious institutions are cooperating with us because we work extensively with them. The religious leaders (Christians) are also monitoring the female babies brought for child dedication, and if any of them is cut, the parents will be sanctioned.
“They have church committees responsible for that in various denominations. Indeed, they are really cooperating. For the traditional institution, the age grade system in Afikpo have a law prohibiting such practices and anybody found guilty is liable to pay fifty thousand Naira. The women wing of this age grade, are also fully involved in sensitization campaign against FGM.
“The problem we have now, is the health facilities; the traditional birthday attendants are no longer practicing FGM. It is the nurses that are trying to encourage it and the age grade system has started visiting health facilities to checkmate what they are doing.”
Also speaking, the President General of Ohaisu Community Development Association, Dr.Jaspa Okoro said that there is a standing law by the House of Assembly which prohibits FGM practices in Ebonyi State, noting that certain measures of punishment are outlined against offenders.
“Series of NGOs have been coming to Afikpo to engage community leaders with workshop and seminars on how to stop FGM.
`Some who indulged in such practices said they don’t want their female children to be wayward and promiscuous and that it has been an age-long practice from their great grand parents and can’t be changed like that.
“The people are responding to the campaigns against FGM, but some people in rural areas are still finding it difficult. We have government and mission hospitals mostly in our town but at the rural areas, the people are still patronizing traditional birth attendants.
“Presently, 50% achievements have been recorded. It is a gradual process, it will soon faceoff.”
He also advised the people to abstain from such practices in order to have sound health more especially for their female children.
Responding, the traditional ruler of the area, HRH Ezeogo Ewa Elechi, said in the past 12 years under his watch, a lot has been done to stop FGM in Afikpo LGA.
He noted that both government and NGOs have carried out sensitization campaign, workshops and seminars to educate they people on the dangers of such practices.
He expressed satisfaction over the improvement in the healthcare system, saying that open declarations have been done where many people denounced such practice.
“A lot has been done to stop FGM in the past 12 years in Afikpo LGA because rallies, demonstrations, sensitization, among others have been done to this effect. Open declarations have been carried out in an open field where the practitioners surrendered.
“The campaign against FGM is a continuous process because it may not stop at once. FGM is a bad practice which started long ago, but is gradually reducing because of the efforts put in place to stop it. I am happy that our healthcare system is also improving and more medical attention are being giving to they people.
“Those indulged in such practices said they don’t want their female children to be promiscuous, but today, they have retraced their steps.
“Presently, they are responding to the continued education and enlightenment; they have
become powerful tools to stop FGM,” he said.
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