UNICEF, NOA Kick against New Trend of Massaging in FGM
The United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) and National Orientation Agency (NOA) have kicked against the new trend of massaging adopted by people to achieve female genital mutilation (FGM) in parts of Imo State communities.
The two organs revealed that massaging is the worst form of FGM prevalent in the state as the various communities have shifted from performing the act with scissors, razors and knives to massaging the clitoris through the application of petroleum jelly popularly called “blue seal”.
The revelation was made by UNICEF consultant on FGM Imo and Ebonyi States, Benjamin Mbakwem while making a presentation at the local government areas forum with community leaders to accelerate the abandonment of FGM in 14 communities in Owerri West and 18 communities in Ehime Mbano council areas respectively.
According to him, doctors, nurses, midwives and mother in-laws serve as impediments to ending this form of FGM, which involves the usage of petroleum jelly, menthol ointments and hot water to render the clitoris numb and push same back to the body.
He cautioned mother in-laws and health professionals to desist from this obnoxious practice as anyone caught in the act risks jail term of 14 years imprisonment or fine of N250,000 or both in line with the Imo State FGM (Prohibition) Law 2017.
He submitted that women are divinely created as their beauty cannot be altered by anybody due to obnoxious cultural and religious belief is as created by God, adding “it is an abomination for any mortal to remove any part of the body of a girl child knowingly or unknowingly”.
Mbakwem explained that UNICEF believes that changing of social norms is a core strategy, towards FGM eradication in the society. He encouraged the various communities to flow with the dynamism of culture and not to hold rigidly to cultural norms that are not beneficial to the people.
His word, “UNICEF in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have been consistent in disseminating information in respect of the dangers inherent in the performance of FGM. The messages have gone global and almost everyone is aware of the war against this ugly trend”.
The UNICEF consultant however submitted that ignorance of the law is not an excuse as anyone found culpable will be visited with the full weight of the law. He stressed that culture is created by man and should not be seen to be static and urged the various communities to flow with the dynamism of culture.
He, however, enumerated the dangers inherent in FGM, as excessive bleeding which could lead to death, urinary incontinence, prolonged labour and delivery complications coupled with infection of the genital area, especially the development of fistulas.
In his remarks, Director of NOA, Mr. Vitus Ekeocha charged the various community leaders to key into the UNICEF crusade of eliminating every form of FGM in the state as according to him, all over the world it is believed that this practice is harmful to the girl child and does not serve any useful purpose in the society.
He stressed that FGM should be abolished entirely in line with the position of UNICEF and advised community leaders to champion the total elimination of this ugly practice and pass on the message to the their various communities with the view of seeing the need for paradigm shift.According to him, culture should be viewed with the aim of finding out if the continuous hold to such culture, is beneficial of harmful to the people.
The NOA Director highlighted that the believe in certain quarters that any girl child and woman, not circumcised are likely to be promiscuous as false and said that there are no scientific proof to the effect.
Speaking, President General Orogwe autonomous community in Owerri West council area, Pastor Jerry Atuzie described the programme as highly enlightened and informative, as the issue of massaging which is done by the women secretly, has been made public.
According to him, this methodology of pressing the infant clitoris is done in secret with some kind of deceit and advised fathers to be more vigilant and monitor their wives and mother in-laws and pay attention to the girl child at their infant stage.
He advocated for total engagement with the perpetrators, so as to draw their attention to the negative effect of massaging the girl child clitoris.
In her contribution, MariaCeline Okere, woman leader, Umuanunu community, stressed that she will pass the message in respect of the negative effect of FGM coupled with the fact that massaging and application of hot water are not good for the health of the girl child.