By Victor Akinkuolie, Okitipupa

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A non-governmental organisation, the Childcare Advocacy Foundation, has urged the Ondo State Government to promulgate a law at the State House of Assembly that would sanction the activities of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practitioners in the state.

The foundation also expressed concern over what it described as the prevalence of FGM in the state, calling on stakeholders to join hands with the government to stamp out the menace.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mr. Adeniyi Adeyosoye, spoke on Tuesday in Okitipupa, headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State, during an advocacy programme organised by the NGO.

The group, in collaboration with other international organisations, had premiered a movie titled Royal Decree to educate the people of the area on the need to desist from the practice of female genital mutilation.

Lamenting the effects of FGM among the Yoruba people, Mr. Adeyosoye said scientists have proven that there are no benefits to the continued cutting of female genitals. He called on the people of the state to end the harmful practice.

He explained that the group, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders within the Southwest region, had introduced several advocacy programmes where practitioners dropped their tools and were financially empowered to focus on other businesses instead of FGM.

“Culture is not a reason for the continued practice of FGM in the Southwest states. Also, scientists have said that there is no benefit in the act; it has no scientific backing. People say it helps our girls avoid promiscuity, but I can tell you that Ondo State has a high prevalence of teenage pregnancy and FGM. This act has achieved nothing,” he said.

Adeyosoye noted that the Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law of 2019 clearly prohibits circumcision or genital mutilation, urging the government not to relent in its efforts to eradicate the practice in the state.

Earlier, a Gender Advocacy Expert, Mr. Tayo Ikusika, advocated the need for governments at all levels to intensify efforts at enforcing the law, adding that this remains the only effective and efficient way of discouraging people from engaging in the act.

He disclosed that the main objective of the movie is to educate the masses on the dangers of FGM and the need to shun the act, which he said is dangerous to the health of the girl child.

According to him, “Our objective is that the movie will inspire stakeholders in the area to take action in their respective villages, settlements, and communities to stop FGM. It is endemic, and we must take action by advocating for its end.”