UNICEF Claims Female Genital Mutilation High In IMO

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has decribed what it calls “the rising cases of female genital mutilation and cutting, FGMC," in Imo State. and has stated that about “68 percent of Imo women are affected by this sordid and outlawed practice”.

The UNICEF Consultant for Imo and Ebonyi States, Mr. Benjamin Mbakwem, raised the alarm during a two-day training programme organized in Owerri, by the National Orientation Agency, NOA, in collaboration with UNICEF, for Community Champions, which were chosen from some communities in Owerri Municipal, Owerri West, Ehime Mbano, Ideato North and geared towards eliminating FGMC.

According to Mbakwem, the practice still persists, even among educated parents, despite the subsisting law against FGMC. “Available research shows that seven out of every 10 women in Imo State, live with the effects of FGMC. This accounts for the major reason why many pregnant women undergo prolonged labour and find it extremely difficult to give birth through the normal way”, 

He reiterated that UNICEF was working tirelessly to ensure total elimination of FGMC practice by 2030, when the sustainable development goals must have been achieved. “FGMC not only violates the sexual/reproductive health/right of a woman/girl, but also endangers their sexual/reproductive health”, Mbakwem stated.