Traditional Rulers Declare Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation in Imo

Owerri, Traditional rulers in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo came out in their numbers to publicly declare the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation and threatened to sanction practitioners of such act.

The event which took place at the Orlu Council headquarters had the traditional rulers of the 35 communities of the area, present.

Addressing them, the Commissioner for Gender and Vulnerable Groups, Barr. Nkeiruka Ibekwe said the occasion was unique as it was aimed at stamping out inhuman treatment meted against the girl child and women folks.

She said the LG was making history by belonging among the foremost LGAs to come out publicly to condemn the harmful practice in Orlu.

“We are here to sign the pact and make it public that the entire Orlu LGA has outlawed the practice of Female Genital Mutilation and will henceforth mete the appropriate punishment to anyone caught indulging in the practice.

“This singular action today will go a long way to improve the rating of Orlu LGA among the committee of civilized LGAs where the fundamental human rights of every citizen is respected and protected.

“Through the repeated aggressive campaigns in the mass media and other methods, we all are now aware that FGM is a harmful ancient practice in some climes where a part or the whole of the external female genitalia are removed or injured for non medical reasons,” she said.

The commissioner while thanking development partners, urged women to work together to end FGM by reporting to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

“I wish to, therefore, encourage all of us to remain resolute in our avowed commitment to ending this dehumanizing action against the girl child and entire womenfolk.

“As committed stakeholders, we should look out for and not hesitate to report to the appropriate authorities, any violation to this general resolution for the appropriate punishment/sanction to be meted against such individual, group or groups.

“I wish to thank our partners UNFPA for supporting us in the campaign to end FGM in the generation,” she said.

In the document read out by HRH Eze C. O Ihemegwo in consensus with Orlu traditional rulers, they realized the negative and psychosocial consequences of FGM on the girl child and acknowledged, after several community dialogues and consensus building meetings that “FGM is a a gross violation of the rights of girls and women.

“The document read in part, “On this day, 17th December 2019, we publicly declare that, Female Genital Mutilation, FGM has ceased to be a culture and tradition of the people of Isiala – Amaifeke community in Orlu LGA.

“To leave our girls and women intact, because their beauty is preserved when they remain the way God created them.

“To re-enforce this commitment, our slogan shall remain “Odi Nma Nwanyi Bu ka Chi Siri Kee Ya” (The beauty of a woman is how God created her).

” To set up surveillance systems in each community that will track the birth of every girl child and monitor them to ensure that they are not subjected to FGM.

“To hand over any community member who engages in FGM to law enforcement agencies for prosecution in accordance with Imo state Female Genital Mutilation Prohibition Law of 2017 or any other law prohibiting the practice in the state.

“Based on this public declaration, the practice of Female Genital Mutilation is now forbidden in Isiala Amaifeke, Orlu LGA, Imo state.

“We, hereby, urge everyone present today to publicize this decision to all sons and daughters of Isiala Amaifeke as well as our friends and well wishers in Imo state and beyond.”

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