…Minister calls on governments, CSOs, OPS, media, religious/traditional leaders, others to play a role in elimination
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (GGM) should not be the responsibility of her Ministry alone or one organization, or one sector even as she advocated that it should be a collective responsibility of all.
She urged governments at different levels, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), traditional, religious institutions, the Organised Private Sector (OPS), the media, and young people all have a role to play in eliminating the practice from the society.
While still calling for concerted efforts, she said, let me quickly state, that we are not just marking another international commemoration today, instead we are using the day to reaffirm our commitment to ending one of the most serious violations of human rights: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
She said: “Today is a call for urgent, collective, and sustained action to protect the rights, dignity, and future of millions of girls and women in Nigeria and across the world.”
According to her, the gathering today (Wednesday) serves as an opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s progress, ongoing challenges, and the strategic actions being taken by the Federal Government, in collaboration with stakeholders, to eliminate FGM.
She added that it is also a platform to reinforce our commitment under President Bola Tinubu, to strengthen laws, scale up community interventions, and drive behavioral and cultural change.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said: “Today, we will share our template, and outline our multi-sectoral strategy, and the collective action needed to accelerate efforts in ending FGM once and for all.
“Let me quickly add, that this year’s theme, “Step Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM,” speaks to the urgency of our efforts.
“It is a call to accelerate progress, to deepen partnerships, and to translate commitments into tangible action.
“We cannot afford complacency. FGM is not merely a cultural practice, it is a fundamental breach of human dignity, a direct assault on the health and well-being of women and girls, and a significant impediment to sustainable development.
“As you may all know, Nigeria remains among the countries with the highest burden of FGM globally. With 19.9 million women and girls affected (NDHS, 2018), our nation bears a significant responsibility to lead the charge in eliminating this harmful practice.
“The 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) places the prevalence rate at 20% among women aged 15-49, a statistic that underscores the urgent need for intensified action.”
The Minister explained that physical, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences of FGM are profound and far-reaching, adding that procedure performed under crude conditions results in severe haemorrhage, infections, complications in childbirth, psychological trauma, and in extreme cases, death.
Beyond the individual suffering, the Minister added that FGM deprives communities of their full economic potential by limiting the educational and economic prospects of women and girls.
She said: “Although FGM prevalence has declined over the years, there are increasing number of girls at risk of FGM in some parts of the country.
“FGM is not a private matter. It is a public health crisis. It is a development challenge. It is a fundamental violation of human rights. It impedes our progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals. (SDGs), including health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).”
According to her, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as part of its ongoing efforts and as Co-Chair to National Technical Committee on the Elimination of FGM is actively supporting the implementation of the National Policy and Plan of Action on FGM Elimination in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, UNFPA, UNICEF, and other critical stakeholders, is taking decisive action.
She added that this framework serves as the ministry’s strategic guide in addressing both the root causes and the devastating consequences of this practice, stressing that part of this year’s commemoration, the Ministry has outlined key activities to strengthen advocacy and action against FGM:
“An Advocacy Walk to the National Assembly to engage lawmakers on: Strengthening legal frameworks to criminalize and eliminate FGM. Increasing budgetary allocations for anti-FGM programs.
“An Advocacy Visit to Jigawa State, one of Nigeria’s FGM flash-points. This visit aims to: Engage community leaders, religious leaders, and policymakers on the urgency of abandoning FGM.
“Strengthen community-based surveillance and reporting mechanisms to monitor and respond to FGM cases effectively. Mobilize grassroots organizations and youth-led movements to push for change.” She said.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim, added: “To the men and women in this room, and to all stakeholders listening:
“I will work hand in hand with the Hon. Minister of Justice to advocate for the strengthening of law enforcement and accountability.
“I will also work collaboratively with all the relevant Ministries to ensure we invest more in education and promote economic empowerment opportunities to women and girls.
“I will amplify the voices of survivors, ensuring that their lived experiences shape our policies and interventions.
“On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, let us make a solemn pledge: to step up the pace, to build stronger alliances, and to ensure that no girl in Nigeria—no girl anywhere—is subjected to this harmful practice.
“The time for action is now. Together, let us #UNITE2ENDFGM. Together, let us ensure that every girl in Nigeria is free to live, free to dream, and free to thrive.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs will continue to work closely with stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, grassroots women, and the public to strengthen coordination and response mechanisms against FGM.”
