As the world marks the 2024 International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, the people of Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have promised to maintain their stand against all forms of Female Genital Mutilation, FGM.
Our correspondent who visited communities across the Local Government Area showed that FGM is gradually phasing out among the people with many women who had undergone obnoxious acts rejecting it and never allowing their children to suffer the same.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the Onu Roseline who helps monitor compliance of the people against FGM in Amauzu described FGM as a traditional practice that does no one any good saying she has ensured that none of her children were predisposed to the dangers of FGM.
She noted with happiness that presently many families are shunning the act which is no longer seen in the community.
For others, Mrs Rita Agwu and Aja Florence of the Obinagu community, FGM is an outdated practice that is no longer obtainable in their community. They said though they were mutilated, they never allowed any of their female children to experience such.
Some other women in Akaeze, Ogwo, Ayaragu, Nzerem and Mgbede communities of the Ivo Local Government Area shared the same view but called for anyone engaging in it to stop as it affects the sexual satisfaction of women.
However, it was noted that few of the women still engage in other forms of Female Genital Mutilation involving the use of Vaseline to press the genitals of their girl-children which they do not see as a form of FGM.
When the physician in charge of the General Hospital in the area, Dr. Chimaobi Francis Agwu spoke to our reporter on the issue of FGM, he said for about a year he has been in the hospital there has not been any record of Female Genital Mutilation or complications arising from it either while performing it or during childbirth.
According to him “I could say due awareness, the practice has drastically reduced. For the months I have been here, there is nnonoport of FGM known to the hospital” he stated.
