Delta State Government Inuagurates Taskforce Against Female Genital Mutilation
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development Mrs. Flora Alatan, has inaugurated 25 Champions against female genital mutilation for each of the twenty five local government areas of the state.
The Commissioner made this known at an occasion to launch the state facilitators of the approach to eliminate all forms of gender based violence.
The inauguration was with the theme as: No Time for Global Inaction! Unite, Fund and Act to End Female Genital Mutilation, during this years celebration.
Mrs. Alantan observed the state apparatus against Female Gential Mutiilation was meant to fish out the perpetuators especially in the rural areas.
The Commissioner represented by the Director Women Affairs, Mrs. Faith Akpoworo, added the state had in in July 2020 adopted the Violence against Persons Prohobition Act, with fines and punishment for offenders and collaborators.
“They will be giving us feedbacks; they are going to be working with our Community Development Officers at the field. They are going to be working with our Social Welfare Officers.”
Initiator of the Champions and Association aganst Child, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Dr. Eris Jewo, mentioned Delta is the pilot state for the project with actors in 33, out of the 36 states and FCT.
The President Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Delta State branch Dr. Aghogho Akpe, in a paper presentation gave graphic description of the process of FGM, with emphasis on the health risks to girls and women.
“Circumcision is a very painful procedure. The removal or damage to healthy tissue interferes with the natural functioning of the body.”
The outgone President National Medical Women Association of Nigeria Dr. Minnie Oseji and the State Chairperson, National Association of Women Journalists Pat Gbemudu also lent their voice against the harmful practice of female genital mutilation.
Highpoint of the event was the formal inauguration of the twenty five member taskforce with the wife of the State Governor Dame Edith Okowa, as patron.
