In a renewed move to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Southern Nigeria, the Oyo State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called for tougher prosecution of offenders across Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, and Oyo States.
The call was made at a three-day multi-sectoral engagement workshop held in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, which brought together law enforcement agencies, judicial officers, NGOs, government officials, and religious leaders to strengthen justice system responses and survivor-centered approaches in tackling FGM.
Speaking at the opening, Rotimi Babalola, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information, who represented the Commissioner, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the initiative as “apt and timely,” noting that despite the existence of laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) and the Child Rights Law, FGM remains prevalent due to poor reporting, weak enforcement, and fragmented collaboration.
Babalola commended UNICEF for initiating the workshop, stressing the need for improved case documentation, survivor protection, and inter-agency coordination.
He said, “The goal is clear — to enhance FGM reporting, ensure survivor protection, and strengthen the justice system through improved multi-sectoral collaboration.”
UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Denis Onoise, reiterated the urgency of eliminating the harmful practice, listing its four types: clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation, and unclassified forms.
He decried the rarity of prosecutions despite widespread adoption of the VAPP Act, urging stronger legal enforcement, increased funding for anti-FGM programs, and deeper involvement of traditional leaders and male-led advocacy groups.
“Our goal is clear, we need to increase our steps ten times beyond what we are doing now to eradicate FGM in our states by 2030,” Onoise stated.
Also speaking, Dr. Dare Adaramoye, Executive Director of Trailblazer Initiative, called for the creation of specialized courts to handle gender-based violence cases, including FGM, warning that reporting and justice gaps have allowed perpetrators to escape punishment.
The workshop is expected to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders on FGM laws, survivor-centered responses, and reporting procedures, while fostering better coordination among the justice, health, welfare, and security sectors.
Reinforcing the state’s commitment, Commissioner Oyelade emphasised the importance of prioritizing education over harmful practices. “FGM does not prevent promiscuity. It is not culture. Give your girl child education, not mutilation,” he said.
The initiative signals a united front between government, international partners, and civil society to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence and safeguard the rights and dignity of girls and women.
