Ambode’s wife, stakeholders seek action against female genital mutilation

Wife of Lagos State governor, Bolanle Ambode has called for a joint action against female genital mutilation, describing the old traditional practice as inhuman and a violation of the fundamental rights womanhood.

She spoke at an event tagged “high-level meeting on eliminating female genital mutilation” organised by HOFOWEM, her non-governmental organisation, in Lagos.

According to the Lagos first lady, the consequences of the injurious practice have made it compelling for the society to collaborate in the efforts to eradicate it. “A woman can die from excessive bleeding or even become childless throughout her life from a genital circumcision procedure that has no medical or emotional benefit to her,” she said.

“To abolish this unhealthy practice, therefore, there is need for a multi- disciplinary approach involving legislations, professional health organisations, women empowerment, as well as educating and sensitising the general public on the adverse effects of female genital mutilation,” she added.

The Lagos Commissioner of Health, Jide Idris, said the state government was doing everything possible to eliminate the harmful practice in the state, as it violated human rights and had no relationship to any religious teaching.

The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Sotobi, who also condemned the practice, said it had gone down considerably by about 95 per cent in Ikorodu division. He frowned at the practice, saying result of scientific research in the medical world had proved beyond reasonable doubt that everything possible be done to eradicate the “obnoxious practice.”