Benin: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has highlighted Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a harmful violation of the rights of girls and women. Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, emphasized this point during a two-day Media Dialogue aimed at advocating for the end of FGM in Nigeria.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lafoucriere revealed that nearly 20 million women and girls in Nigeria have undergone FGM, placing the country third highest globally. She stressed that this is an issue that cannot be ignored, despite FGM being outlawed in Nigeria. The practice persists in many communities, driven by myths and traditions that undermine girls’ health, rights, and futures.

Lafoucriere pointed out that collaborative efforts with stakeholders, including initiatives like the Movement for Good led by the federal government in collaboration with UNICEF, are crucial in changing the narrative around FGM. She highlighted that communities are increasingly speaking out against the practice, with survivors and young people leading the charge for a better future.

Lafoucriere urged media practitioners to leverage their platforms to tell impactful stories that could spark change and inspire families to abandon harmful traditions. She called on them to use their reach and creativity to ensure every girl in Nigeria grows up free from the fear of FGM.

UNICEF Communication Officer, Lagos Field Office, Blessing Ejiofor, remarked that the workshop aims to extend advocacy efforts to every corner of Nigeria to end FGM. She noted that while campaigns have led to a reduction in FGM cases, complete eradication remains the ultimate goal. Ejiofor reiterated that FGM is now a criminal offense in Nigeria and urged the media to intensify their advocacy efforts.

Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Ministry of Information, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, expressed the state government’s commitment to issues concerning children. He acknowledged the importance of media advocacy and called for sustained collaboration to eliminate FGM across the country. Babalola emphasized that despite ongoing efforts, more work is needed to achieve the total elimination of FGM.