FGM: I Won’t Plead For Anyone Caught In The Act – Ekiti monarch warns subjects

Sola POPOOLA

The Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye has warned his subjects to shun the outlawed  harmful traditional practice, Female Gential Mutilation (FGM) .

The monarch who gave the warning during an Intergenerational Dialogue  with community leaders in Irepodun-Ifelodun Local Government areas of Ekiti State towards concensus building and collective action on FGM abandonment.
The programme  was organised by a non Governmental organisation  the New Generation, Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) ,in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) at Iyin Town Hall .
Addressing over 200 community leaders and chiefs , including Oluyin-in-Council, Oba Ajakaye  reminded them that there is a Law in place against anyone aiding or indulging in FGM.
The monarch decried the unenviable record of Ekiti State ,which ranks second in the FGM prevalence in the SouthWest.
“By now I dont expect any member of this community to be involved in act relating to  FGM .I think we have heard enough sensitisation about this cultural  menace. So , let me sound a note of warning that the palace will not intercede for anyone caught in the act. I must also add that very soon,some government agents will soon be going around to detect and arrest those whose  houees  are without toilets.All these efforts by the government and the NGO is gir our own good. They are interested in our wellness and wellbeing.
“Research has revealed that girls who were mutilated do not enjoy sex ,maybe that was the reason our men in Ekiti  normally go after Ladies from Ogun and other states where FGM is not prevalent. I think we must encourage Ekiti men to marry our ladies too .These may not happen until we abandoned FGM.” The monarch said .
Oba Ajakaye  also used the occasion to appeal to government to support and empower some traditional birth attendant in  the community  who have abandoned FGM.
Earlier ,some officials of the Ministry of Health and Wonen Affairs spoke on the different types of FGM  and its consequences..One of which is, permanent deformity,  exposure to disease / infection,  delayed or prolonged Labour.
The  representive of the Ministry of Health, Amodu Dupe noted that Ekiti  was rated as one of the states with the highest number of FGM in southwest.
She highlighted the consequences of FGM to include stillbirth, severe bleeding, shock, fever and septicemia, urine retention.
Others are maternal death, pelvic infections, infertility, difficulties in menstruation and passing urine, among others.
Quoting World Health Organisation (W.H.O), Amodu added that young girls between 0 and 15 years are at greater risk with 3 million girls as victims of FGM every year.
NIGWAD also organised similar programme at the Palace of Onigede where about  50 community members attended.
The participants were admonished to join the campaign against FGM by lending their voice to its abandonment.
The two events featured questions and answers sessions where participants bared their minds on nagging issues relating to FGM.

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