FIC Report (Edo State) – The Edo State Government, through its Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, partnered with UNICEF and Women Rights and Health Projects (WRAHP) to conduct a two-day advocacy and awareness Campaign focused on grassroots engagement, aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across the State.
The Event, which brought together Key Stakeholders from Oredo and Egor local Government Areas, was held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin City. It was themed “Accelerating Transformative Action to End FGM in Edo State.”
During the Opening Address, Chief Bisi Idaomi, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, represented by the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Desk Officer, Mrs. Eseosa Onebamoi, emphasized the state’s dedication to safeguarding vulnerable groups, promoting the welfare of women and girls, and fostering healthier, safer Communities.
Chief Idaomi reaffirmed that the Ministry, working alongside organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization, is committed to ending FGM, which she described as a violation of human rights with severe consequences for women and girls. “Our aim is to eliminate female circumcision entirely, not just reduce it. That is why we are gathered here today,” she stated.
She also noted that under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, FGM is criminalized, with strict penalties. Specifically, Section 11 of the Edo State VAPP Law 2021 stipulates that performing or aiding FGM can result in up to four years of imprisonment, a ₦500,000 fine, or both. Attempted FGM can lead to two years in jail or a ₦300,000 fine, while inciting others to perform FGM carries the same penalties.
Chief Idaomi explained that the law addresses three main areas: criminalizing acts of violence like FGM, providing protection for potential victims through court orders, and enforcing the law via investigations and prosecutions. She urged community members to act as advocates and report any suspected FGM cases to support eradication efforts.
Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, highlighted the serious negative effects of FGM and underscored that eradicating it requires collective action. She called on stakeholders to actively participate by sharing experiences, asking questions, and seeking clarity to better understand the dangers and develop effective strategies to end the practice.
WRAHP Programme Manager Helen Jonah gave a presentation on FGM, discussing its complexities, cultural and social motivations, and the physical and emotional harm it inflicts.
Signed
Egwaoje Amarachi Linda
ACI&PRO, FIC, Benin
August 16, 2025
