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Female Genital Mutilation has been described as a harmful tradition practice that must be totally eradicated to safeguard the rights of the girlchild.
First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRasaq stated this at a stakeholders engagement to accelerate action against female genital mutilation organized by the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs in Ilorin.
Professor Olufolake AbdulRasaq, represented by Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Fatimah Nna described female genital mutilation as barbaric act and violence against the girlchild.
In a remark, the Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Zulu Gambari, pledged the traditional institution’s support to fight against all forms of violence against women and girls in the State.
The Emir who was represented by the Balogun Alanamu, Dr Usman Abubakre Jos, stated that the traditional institution would not condone any form of violence against women, adding that perpetrators would face consequences.
In a remark the commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Opeyemi Folashade, explained that the ministry is working tiredlessly to eradicate the menace as causes lifelong damage to women sexual health.
Mrs Afolashade emphasized the role of traditional rulers in the successful implementation of Child Right Law and total radication of violence against women.
According to the commissioner, people should not keep mute when they noticed strange happenings but should rather draw the attention of government to it.
On his part the State Focal Person, National Coalition of Civil Society to End Child Marriage in Nigeria, Mr Femi Oyedeji, affirmed that every offender is liable to either three years imprisonment or a fine of five hundred thousand naira, or both; while perpetrators of female genital mutilation, including the parents, will face four years imprisonment or a fine of two hundred thousand naira, or both.
By Muinat Usman
