The Rivers State Government has taken a significant step towards eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by inaugurating a Technical Working Committee to intensify campaigns against the harmful practice.

The committee, which comprises representatives from various stakeholders, including line ministries, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Police, Civil Defence, Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and UNICEF-sponsored NGOs, will play a crucial role in driving progress towards abolishing FGM in Rivers State.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Prof. Justina Jumbo, said the committee’s primary objective is to eliminate FGM in Rivers State.

Prof. Jumbo emphasised the need for collective action to eradicate FGM, highlighting the harmful effects of the practice on women and girls.
She noted that the committee’s inauguration is a clear indication of the state government’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls and promoting their well-being.
“We all support the fact that this action should come to an end and be abandoned. Let us all say no to female genital mutilation and work towards its abandonment in Rivers State, Nigeria, Africa, and even sub-Saharan Africa,” she said.

Prof. Jumbo also expressed appreciation to the committee members for their efforts so far in the fight to eliminate the FGM menace in the state.
In his remark, the Chief Field Office- UNICEF Port Harcourt, Dr Anslem Audu, urged communities that still practice FGM to accept the need to end it due to its harmful health effects, adding that “FGM reduces the dignity of women and girls and must be stopped.”
“Our goal is ensuring an end to female circumcision by 2030 in line with the global target”, the UNICEF’s Port-Harcourt Chief Field Officer disclosed.
Dr Ardu also called on the committee members to carry the knowledge gained from the capacity building exercise to the grassroots level to ensure the elimination of FGM in the state.

Inaugurating the Technical Working Committee Members, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate, stated that the committee’s objective is to support the enforcement of laws protecting the rights of women and girls, monitor the implementation of existing laws on FGM, and work towards the elimination of the practice in the State.

The Federal Minister, represented by Dr Ovuoraye John, the Director and Head of the Gender and Adolescent Department in the Federal Ministry, charged members to bring their wealth of experience to bear in working to achieve the committee’s objectives and ensure the effective implementation of laws and policies aimed at ending FGM in Rivers State.

The newly inaugurated Technical Working Committee on Ending FGM is poised to drive meaningful progress in the fight against the scourge, with stakeholders committed to working together to achieve the goal of eliminating the practice in Rivers State.