The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the deadline for the end of female genital mutilation.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja.
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Tallen said that it would end in 2030. She said this at the conference organized by the Women Against Violence and Exploitation Foundation.
This date falls in line with the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Tallen represented the Deputy Director, Samaila Adamu, Women Development Department.
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He said the FGM practice was a violation of the human rights, health and integrity of girls and women. Hence, the need to put an end to it.
He said, “The government, with the support of the UN, strives for the full eradication of FGM by the year 2030.
Following the spirit of Sustainable Development Goals 5.
“Our desire to meet the SDGs by the year 2030 may be limited. if we do not make conscious and sustained efforts to make stakeholders request justice for all women and girls.”
Also, the Minister commended the WAVE foundation and promised to work with them.
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The Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu praised the efforts of the National Human Rights Commission on ending the FGM.
His representative, Harry Obeh, a director, lauded their works on ending the horrific traditional practices against the female gender.
Obeh said that the girl-child was vulnerable and at a higher risk of being victims of abuse and all forms of exploitation.
“The commission calls for intensified efforts to stop violence against women and girls.
“We pledge to increase support for the effort to stop FGM. We would advance gender equality and human rights to free girls and women of violence and discrimination,’’ he said.
He claimed that the NHRC had collaborated with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), on a training manual or FGM. Obeh also spoke about training stakeholders in locations where FGM is prevalent.
President of the WAVE Foundation, Lola Ibrahim spoke on equal rights and opportunities for all genders.
Ibrahim, also the Initiator of the “Stop The Cut” project said gender inclusion would lead to sustainable development.
This would also influence the strategic execution that would end the FGM.
She called on the Governments to translate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act to local languages. This she said would sensitize people in the grassroot and foster their participation.
Ibrahim lent her voice to the survivors of the FGM. She appealed for social service support.
“We tell anti-FGM advocates to be sensitive with their choice of words in their discussions with local authorities.
“Rather than condemn the culture, explain the dangerous effects of their practices on the health of women and girls,“ she said.
A former Super Eagles player, Emmanuel Babayaro, called for the collaboration of Notable celebrities to end FGM. He emphasized on the impact this would have against FGM and other gender-based violence.
Babayaro said, “For any society that desires true progress, it must look after its women and children.
“And without synergy from different stakeholders, we cannot achieve much as people who perpetrate FGM and other harmful practices are people we know.”
