The Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Adesoye Aladejare, has urged security agencies in the country to enforce the laws against female genital mutilation(FGM) to end the harmful traditional practice.
The monarch also called on states where there was no law against the practice to enact the law that will crimialise the practice.
Oba Aladejare said this at his palace while playing host to members of the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative and the over 300 stakeholders and youths, who visited him after a two-day sensitisation programme against FGM in communities in Efon Alaaye.
Aladejare said the age-long practice of FGM needed a review as a way to end it with a view to protecting the girls and women from pains, stigma and untimely death.
He said, “There is need for legal backing for the struggle to end FGM. In states where such law exists, there is need for enforcement and where there is no such law, there is need for urgent enactment.
“As the custodian of law, tradition and culture of my people, I am saying FGM is harmful and there is need to end it. If a particular practice is harmful, it has to be examined and in this case, stopped.”
NIGAWDI Founder, Abimbola Aladejare, said the ENDFGM programme, tagged Market Invasion’ was parts of the activities of her organisation towards eradicating the practice which she said “has harmful effect on victims and society.”
According to her, the programme sponsored by the United Nation Population Fund is targeted at sensitising and educating the people on the harmful effect of the FGM especially on women and girl child.
She said, “Apart from the excess bleeding during the mutilation period, FGM also affects the female during childbirth. This can cause serious damage to the fallopian tube. I am delighted at the turnout and response. The summary of it is that people of Efon have rejected FGM.”