Thirty-two communities in Imo State have reached a consensus to stop the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in their respective areas.
The consensus was reached at the end of a two-day community dialogue forum organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with the support from the United Nations Children Trust Fund (UNICEF) held at Ehime Mbano council hall on Wednesday.
In attendance were the community and religious leaders, men and women of childbearing age and youths of the communities drawn from Ehime Mbano and Owerri West council areas of the state.
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The leaders namely Chikwube Aguocha, Pastor Jerry Atuzie and, Dr. Clara Oparanozie, Esther Okechukwu; President Generals of Okorochi, Orogwe, Nekede and Umunakanu communities said they were committed to ending the practice, noting that many of the people engaged in the practice out of ignorance.
Earlier, the Imo State Coordinator NOA, Vitus Ekeocha and UNICEF consultant for Imo and Ebonyi States, Benjamin Mbakwe said the essence of the forum was to deepen awareness on both the dangers and harmful impacts of FGM practice on girl-child and the general health and well-being of women.
According to them, the forum also provided the opportunity for the community stakeholders, “to identify the best options for ending the practice of FGM in both council areas as well as develop a plan of action.
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