6th February, 2019
The Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi, has said that the prevalence rate of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the state dropped from 74.4 per cent in 2016 to 42.3 per cent in 2018.
Umahi made this known in a statement to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM usually observed every February 6.
The Day was set aside by the United Nations to create awareness on the dangers of FGM on women and girls.
She said that as part of the efforts to check the practice, the state government enacted the Violence against Persons Prohibition Law.
The governor’s wife said that her pet project, ‘Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation,’ had since July 5, 2016 championed the campaign against the practice in the state.
“So far, huge success has been recorded, especially in creating massive awareness among Ebonyi citizens on the consequences of the practice.
“Our efforts have yielded positive results and we have vigorously mobilised traditional rulers, religious leaders, NGOs, institutions and groups to create awareness on the implications of the act.
“Also, we have carried out radio, television programmes and conducted focus group discussions across local government areas as well as embarked on house-to-house advocacy campaigns,” Umahi said.
She further commended the state government, traditional and religious leaders, UNFPA, among other partners, for their supports to end the practice in Ebonyi.