The Young Men’s Network Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, a sociocultural pressure group,
has advocated for an end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Imo.
has advocated for an end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Imo.
The group’s Program Coordinator in Imo, Mr Felxfame Enisire, led the advocacy during an inaugural football tournament organised
by the group in Owerri on Wednesday.
by the group in Owerri on Wednesday.
FGM is a traditional harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of
external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The practice is found in some countries of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and within their respective diaspora communities,
who believe that it is a way to control women’s sexuality.
Enisire, therefore, said that the tournament, with more than 2,000 youths from Mbaitoli and Owerri North local government areas
participating, was meant to raise awareness about the need to end FGM among young people.
participating, was meant to raise awareness about the need to end FGM among young people.
He said the event was organised with support from Youth Hub Africa under the UNFPA-UNICEF joint program on elimination of
FGM.
FGM.
He added that “the football match is an innovative and impactful way to raise awareness, engage communities, advocate for the
abandonment of this harmful practice, and reach a wider audience of young people in their space of interest.“The tournament featured two football clubs, one from Orji in Owerri North and the other from Mbieri in Mbaitolu Local
Government Area.
abandonment of this harmful practice, and reach a wider audience of young people in their space of interest.“The tournament featured two football clubs, one from Orji in Owerri North and the other from Mbieri in Mbaitolu Local
Government Area.
“As the footballers displayed their skills on the field, they were not only competing for victory but also joining forces to combat a
deeply ingrained cultural practice that affects countless women and girls.”
The event lasted, members of the group took the opportunity to sensitize spectators on the crucial role of men in
ending FGM in Imo and Nigeria at large.
ending FGM in Imo and Nigeria at large.
The participants were educated about the harmful consequences of FGM and encouraged to play an active part in raising awareness and
advocating for its elimination in their communities.The footballers and their coaches expressed appreciation to UNFPA and Youth Hub Africa for the innovative approach of using sports as
a medium for change.
advocating for its elimination in their communities.The footballers and their coaches expressed appreciation to UNFPA and Youth Hub Africa for the innovative approach of using sports as
a medium for change.
One of the players in a football match, Oliver Udokwu from Mbaitoli Local Government Area, said the tournament served as a testament
to the power of sports in promoting social change and raising awareness about critical issues such as FGM.“Through innovative initiatives like these, organizations and communities can come together to create a brighter and safer future
for women and girls, free from the harm of FGM,” he said.
to the power of sports in promoting social change and raising awareness about critical issues such as FGM.“Through innovative initiatives like these, organizations and communities can come together to create a brighter and safer future
for women and girls, free from the harm of FGM,” he said.
