FG, UN SEEK END TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

 ….as British government ask FG to commit presidential aspirants to the fight.

By AKOR SYVESTER-Abuja

Federal Government yesterday, called on state governments to scale up intervention to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practiced in some parts of the country.

This is as the British government asked Nigerian government to scrutinize all aspirants vying for presidential position to include elimination of FGM in their programmes.

The minister of health,  Osagie Ehanire who spoke at the Launch of the Movement For Good to End FGM in Abuja yesterday, said states where the FGM is practiced must step up investment to end the practice he described as inhuman and unhealthy.

He lamented that the practice is accepted in some parts of the country, urging the states involved to put an end to it.

According to the minister, “women and girls who are victims of FGM risk health problems. They may have health condition that can remain with them in life”.

He said there were need to create awareness that there is no health benefit from the practice of FGM and therefore people should desist from it.

He listed Ekiti, Ebonyi, Imo, Osun and others amongst the states that are still practicing FGM, urging them to intensify efforts towards ending the act.

Speaking, the Women Affairs minister, Pauline Tallen, described the act of practicing FGM as a crime against humanity and must be stopped.

She said FGM destroys the psyche of women and girls, stating further that the dignity of a woman is not put into consideration, with the practice.

According to the minister, a girl child is being denied of his or her right to life when mutilated in the name of tradition.

She expressed worry that those state that domesticated child right were not in any way practicing it, urging them to practice the act and protect the right of a child.

” Our problem is not domesticating the child’s right, but the implementation. I call on the states to do the needful. I also call on the states that have not domesticated the child’s right to do so”, she said.

The minister also called on the traditional rulers to take action to stop the FGM in their various communities, adding that the traditional rulers are the custodial of the tradition of the people.

On his part, the British High commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing urged Nigerian government to ensure that those who are aspiring to be president of the country to include in their programmes, the elimination of FGM, saying that by so doing, the fight against FGM will be taken seriously in the country.

Making his remark at the event, the UN resident and humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, said the launch of the movement was another significant milestone in the country, urging Nigeria to redouble efforts in ensuring the elimination of FGM in the country.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the alarming rate of FGM in some parts of the country, stating that the united nation would give the necessary support to end the practice.

The event was put together by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Federal government of Nigeria.