FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION: NOA Calls for Enforcement of Child Rights Act

The Director National Orientation Agency in Imo State, Mr. Vitus Ekeocha has called for the enforcement of child rights law to reduce the incidents of female genital mutilation in the area.

Mr Ekeocha was speaking at a State Technical Committee meeting on the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation in Owerri.

He explained that adequate sensitization had been carried out on the need to end the practice, urging stakeholders to commence prosecution of offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs AlmaEluwa regretted that Imo state had recorded a high record of female genital mutilation.

She called for a change of attitude.

The representative of UNICEF, Mr. Ben Mbakwem stated that more than two hundred women worldwide were living with the negative consequences of female genital cutting.

NgorOkpala, Oguta, OhajiEgbema, Owerri West and Orlu Local Government Areas of Imo State have been identified as places with high prevalence of female genital mutilation.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU