As the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, at the weekend the UNICEF, UNFPA and the confederation of Gynecologists and Midwives have condemned the practice of Female genital mutilation of over three million girls globally each year.
In a press statement issued by Geoffrey Njoku, Media and External Relations of UNICEF, it said that out of this figure more than 130 million girls and women in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East where the practice is concentrated today have undergone some form of FGM creating enormous impact on the lives these victims.
It stated that the support of health workers in the global effort to end FGM is critical as they have inside knowledge of the social dynamics in the communities they serve and the social norms that perpetuate FGM adding that ‘’they can speed up the rapidly declining support for the practice. Their patients know and trust them.’’
The joint body of experts noted that worldwide, there is an increasing commitment by communities and governments to eliminate FGM which is not enough. Today, as we mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we call on all health workers — from midwives and nurses to obstetricians and Gynecologists to mobilise against this dangerous and harmful practice.
It also noted that FGM is illegal in many countries, and the practitioners are breaking the law and violating the fundamental rights of girls and women.
They therefore call all health workers to abandon the practice of FGM not only in the communities where they work, but also with their colleagues to accelerate the abandonment of FGM everywhere and urged all health workers to protect the sexual and reproductive health of those who have already undergone FGM.
The post UNICEF, UNFPA condemn genital mutilation appeared first on Nigeria pilot.
