CLERICS, UNICEF, NOA MOVE TO END FGM IN IMO STATE

Religious leaders in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State have joined the campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) and cutting still prevalent in some parts of the state.

They made the resolution during a meeting with officials of UNICEF Field Office Enugu in conjunction with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Umuhu, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of the state.

At the event, the priest in charge of Saint Mark’s Catholic Parish Umuneke Ngor, the Reverend Father Moses Dike, blamed mutilation of the female genitalia on ignorance but vowed to step up campaign to end the obnoxious cultural practice.

A prelate in one of the Pentecostal churches in the state, Bishop Titus Akannabu, described female genital mutilation as an evil practice which must be resisted by the body of Christ.

He noted that the workshop had exposed them to the harmful effects of female genital mutilation.

The Child Protection Specialist UNICEF Field Office Enugu, Mrs. Nkiru Maduechesi, described the clergy as strategic partner in the ongoing fight against female genital mutilation.

Mrs. Maduechesi said contrary to the view that cutting the female genitalia would reduce promiscuity, research had shown that circumcised women were more pre-disposed to infidelity as they had unending search for sexual satisfaction.

The State Director National Orientation Agency, Mr. Vitus Ekeocha, expressed the optimism that female genital mutilation and cutting would soon be a thing of the past in the area.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU