Adebayo Adenrele
As part of the activities to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, a group, New Generation Girls’ And Women Development Initiative, NIGAWD, has trained adolescent girls’ in Ekiti as advocates against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The one-day programme, organized by NIGAWD in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund, which held in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday had no fewer than 50 adolescent girls’ drawn from various schools in the State to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.
Speaking with journalists, NIGAWD Director, Abimbola Aladejare-Salako said they gathered the girls’ to educate them on the harmful practice of FGM, how to keep menstrual hygiene, among others.
According to her, the girls’ are expected to serve as Anti-FGM Advocates in their schools, homes and communities.
Her words: “As we know, FGM is a harmful cultural practice in our society and it affects girls and women. That is why today we gathered 50 girls to talk about it and their role in ensuring that FGM does not continue and also letting them know why they are the surgical and nonsurgical remedy for survivals of FGM who need support.
“The program is supported by the United Nations Population Fund Nigeria office. We are happy that the girls had a wonderful time today celebrating themselves.
They came up with the slogan “When girls talk, our voices are heard “ which is very powerful and gives them a voice to speak for themselves.
“After this program, they are going back to establish an Anti-FGM club in their schools and the club will be used to educate other girls and ensure the fact that female genital mutilation is outlawed and will no longer affect girls in Ekiti State.”
In her address, the UNFPA Gender/FGM Analyst, Uzoma Ayodeji stated that her organization affirms with the constitution to protect girls from violation, exploitation and discrimination and also promote leadership and participation in all spheres of life.
She called on Ekiti State Government to work with the organization to create a world where girls have equal access to quality education and healthcare.
The event featured ‘Girls’ Talk’ on the prevalent high rate of young ones going braless in the society and cohabitation.
The NIGAWD boss, who frowned upon the rate of indecent dressing in the society called on the girls’ to be visionary in their pursuit for success.
Delivering a lecture on the effects of FGM, Dupe Amodu from the Ministry of Health encouraged the participants to take the message to their parents, family, church and the society on the negative effects of FGM.
She highlighted some of the types of FGM to include; excision of the clitoris, excision of all the external genitalia and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening, all other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, among others.
One of the Resource Persons, Adeleye Faith, educated the girls on ‘Menstrual And Vaginal Hygiene’ and how to keep their private areas clean by changing their underwear daily, say no to douching, wash gently, among others.
She urged the girls’ saying: “keep your body clean, change your sanitary products regularly and listen to your body. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you notice something unusual. All girls go through this and it’s part of growing up.”
Other highlights of the event were distribution of Ankara-made bags, and awards to panelists on the talk show on FGM during the plenary session.