UNICEF decries high rate of female genital mutilation in Ekiti

The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) Consultant on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) for Ekiti, Osun and Oyo states, Mrs. Aderonke Olutayo, has suggested the need for legal and policy frameworks from the Ekiti state government to curb the harmful practice in the state.

Both the UNICEF and the Ekiti state government yesterday decried the increasing rate of FGM practice in the state, calling for collective efforts from all stakeholders to curb the menace.

They stated this at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting of the State Technical Committee on FGM held in Ado-Ekiti.

Mrs. Aderonke Olutayo said that UNICEF was collaborating with the state government with technical supports in order to eliminate the practice from the society.

Declaring open the technical committee meeting, the Ekiti state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Ayotunde Omole, decried the prevalence rate of female genital mutilation in the state.

He charged members of the committee to join hand with government in eradicating the menace.

He said the practise which is prevalent in the rural areas, must be nipped in the bud with concerted efforts from officials of Primary Health Care because of their proximity to the grassroots.