lnternational Day of Zero tolerance to female genital mutilation

As UNICEF joins the international community in marking this year’s lnternational Day of Zero tolerance to female genital mutilation,the chief of UNICEF, Enugu field office, Dr Ibrahim conteh says satistics show that ebonyi and imo states have the highest percentage of this injurious practice.
Dr Ibrahim conteh while speaking on the day, explained that female genital mutilation is of no benefit to the girl child and the society.
Dr Ibrahim conteh who stated this in Enugu during a media dialogue with media professionals,as part of activities marking the day, said UNICEF is collaborating with governments and other stakeholders to add to school curriculum, studies that discourage female genital mutilation and cutting.
The chief of the UNICEF field office while encouraging ebonyi and imo states to evolve policies that sanction communities and persons that still practice female genital mutilation and cutting,also called on states that have not instituted laws against female genital and cutting, to do so.
Other personalities who spoke on the day including the Director general of Broadcasting corporation of Abia state BCA, Mr Anyaso Anyaso and lecturer ,department of mass communication, Enugu state university of technology ESUT, Agbani, Dr Chidi Ezinwa encouraged parents not to subject their female children and wards to the torture and dangers of female genital mutilation.
They said that girl child that undergo genital mutilation face complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infectious as well as adverse effects on the her reproductive and mental health.
Correspondent Emefiena Okonkwo reports that the theme of this year’s international Day of Zero tolerance to female genital mutilation is,”Unleashing Youth Power .