The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing, have encouraged the Ministry of Women Affairs and Women Rights Groups, to make strong commitments, to address all forms of Gender Based Violence especially Female Genital Mutilation, FGM.
According to her, the practice of FGM was deeply rooted, hence no excuse for girls not to have ownership of their bodies due to the horrific and serious impact.
She stated that, as the election season draws near, it is important to examine all statements made by all Presidential candidates and make very clear, to end the horrific practice on women.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, spoke on the elimination of FGM was important in realizing sustainable development goals for women’s rights.
She commended the ministry for making remarkable progress in wiping out FGM and other harmful practices with development partners, in some areas.
The United Nations Residents Coordinator, Mr. Mattias Schmale expressed displeasure the FGM in some states have remained a threat to ending harmful practices through devised new ways so as to undermine the progress of ending FGM.
The movement for FGM is targeted at mobilizing five million Nigerians from across states in the country.
By: Ngozi Anna Akunne
