FGM: NOA PARTNERS RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO STOP THE PRACTICE IN IMO STATE COMMUNITIES
FGM: NOA PARTNERS RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO STOP THE PRACTICE IN IMO STATE COMMUNITIES
Religious leaders in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State have resolved to join the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prevalent in some communities in the state.
The Chairman Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Oguta Chapter, the Reverend David Dibua, announced this while speaking with journalists after a meeting between clergymen and National Orientation Agency in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
He said having identified the dangers associated with the obnoxious cultural practice, religious leaders would embark on aggressive sensitization to discourage the mutilation of the female genitalia.
The Reverend Dibua noted that Christian doctrine only supported the circumcision of the males and called on parents to respect the rights of the girl-child.
He said time had come for societies to review some aspects of their cultures that have outlived their usefulness to ensure healthy living.
“We have to sensitize them, encourage them not to be shy about it; we have to go back share the information, the knowledge we have acquired to really make our people know the harmful effect in the life of the girl child,” the Reverend Dibua remarked.
The Director National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Imo State, Mr. Vitus Ekeocha, said religious leaders were strategic in winning the fight against Female Genital Mutilation in the state.
He explained that the state had enacted a law to punish those perpetrating the act and appealed to the people of Oguta to emulate their counterpart in Ngor Okpala in denouncing the practice.
According to the NOA State Director, the Agency will monitor the commitments pledged by the religious leaders to ensure that the information gets to the grassroots.
“We have met with the community leaders, we have held community dialogue but we feel that our people have much respect for our religious leaders that is why we invited the Catholics, the Anglicans and the Pentecostals that are dominant in this local government to meet with them, to explain what it is and explain the law against its practice,” Mr. Ekeocha stated.
Mr. Ekeocha, who had earlier trained people referred to as “Community Champions” across Oguta Local Government Area of the state, urged them to further sensitize rural dwellers to the need to abandon FGM.
He said the community champions would be mobilized to effectively discharge their duties and charged them to take advantage of the on-going August Women gatherings to educate the people.
CHINAZO ILECHUKWU