The House of Representatives at its plenary session on Thursday, February 10, 2022, raised a motion on the need to eradicate the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.
Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson who raised the motion noted that February 6 has been declared annually as the International Day for the eradication of female genital mutilation to create global awareness on the dangers of female mutilation and drum support for the protection of physical and mental health of women and girls.
He said female genital mutilation involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and it is recognized globally as a violation of the rights and health of women and girls.
The lawmaker is worried that about 20million girls and women in Nigeria within the age of 15-49years are reported to have undergone the act and cognizant of the dangers which this unwholesome practice portends such as urinary tract infections, infertility, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases.
The deputy speaker, hon. Ahmed Idris Wase advised Hon. Abdulganiyu Johnson to come up with a Bill on the subject matter to make it a law.
The House, therefore, urged the Minister of Women Affairs and the National Orientation Agency to organize nationwide sensitization programmes discouraging the practice of female genital mutilation and mandated the Committees on Women Affairs and Social Development, Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to ensure compliance.
Olalere Taiwo:
For Head of the press;
Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters.
