A non-governmental organization, Devatop Centre for Africa Development,has carried out an advocacy training exercise for 102 persons drawn from various sectors of the country on the need to end Female Genital Mutilation, FGM.
According to the organization’s executive director, Joseph Osuigwe, the training which held in the Kure Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was attended by teachers, health workers, community volunteers, youth corps members, and religious members.
“Ending FGM is a cause that requires the active participation of community members, youth other relevant stakeholders,” Osuigwe said.
“There is so much work to be done to end this practice, but more advocates are needed to do it.
“The End FGM Advocacy training was an innovative strategy of raising advocates to be at the forefront of combating the practice,” he added.
Participants at the training were equipped with information and relevant resources, including End FGM handbooks and posters, in order to carryout step-down projects in their various communities.
The Devatop director noted that “Each of the trainees is expected educate at least 60 people in their communities within the next 3 months.
“Teachers will educate students and parents; health workers will educate pregnant women and nursing mothers; corps members will carry out community-based projects; community volunteers will educate community members and religious members will educate their congregation.
“Over 6, 000 people in Kuje Area Council are expected to be impacted through the activities of the trained End FGM Advocates.”
The trainees are also expected to engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, community leaders, and other decision makers to speak out against FGM, which the UN has proscribed as a violation of the fundamental human right of women and girls.
Representatives from National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, and National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, were present at the training exercise, as well as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of Devatop Centre for Africa Development, Carol Ndaguba.
The project was supported by Abeysteph Global Print Ltd, Junior Chamber International, Prime Diamond Initiative for Community Health, PDICH, United Nations Population Fund, and in partnership with African Youth Initiative on Health, Population and Development, Youthhub Africa,Cal-Maji Foundation, Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, Project Pink Blue,Rayzed Media and Media Insight Communication.
Devatop Centre for Africa Development is also implementing another End FGM Advocacy project in Okigwe Zone, Imo State, which was funded by The Girl Generation.