The Frontida Zois Initiative (FZI), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has stepped up efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Oyo State through a comprehensive sensitisation and awareness programme held for residents of Lagelu Local Government Area of the state.
The event, which took place at the Teachers’ Hall in Lagelu Local Government, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups, youths, health practitioners, security agencies, and other stakeholders to educate the public on the dangers of FGM, promote behavioural change, and strengthen support for the total abandonment of the harmful practice.
Speaking at the programme, Field Officer of Frontida Zois Initiative, Mr. Tobiloba Oloyede, described Female Genital Mutilation as a grave violation of the rights of women and girls, stressing that the organisation remains committed to ending the age-long practice through grassroots advocacy, education, and community mobilisation.
He noted that although Oyo State has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence of FGM, some communities still cling to the practice due to cultural beliefs, myths, and fear of social stigma.
According to him, the awareness campaign in Lagelu was designed to equip community leaders with the knowledge required to educate members of their communities on the need to abandon the practice.
“The purpose of this awareness programme is to sensitise community leaders so that they can, in turn, educate their people on the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. Some communities still hold on to the practice because of cultural beliefs, myths and fear of social stigma,” he said.
Oloyede emphasized that only collective action, sustained education and active community engagement could ensure the total eradication of FGM.
“Female Genital Mutilation is not merely a cultural issue; it is a major public health concern that threatens the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of women and girls. Through this programme, we are empowering communities with accurate information, challenging harmful social norms and encouraging healthier alternatives,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Frontida Zois Initiative, Mrs. Petra Ogunfowokan, said the project was aimed at ending Female Genital Mutilation in Oyo State, adding that the organisation is currently implementing the programme in five communities within Lagelu Local Government Area.
She explained that the initiative focuses on creating awareness and mobilising communities through the training of high-profile End-FGM champions and surveillance teams, community dialogues, and consensus-building engagements with critical stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.
“Our goal is to achieve total abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation in Oyo State, one community at a time, before the year 2030,” she stated.
Mrs. Ogunfowokan reiterated that Frontida Zois Initiative remains committed to ensuring that every girl in Oyo State grows up free from harmful traditional practices.
A representative of the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Miss Agnes Aderinola Oyeniran, commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for partnering with Frontida Zois Initiative in the campaign.
She said the UN agency’s support demonstrates its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women and children, while also applauding Frontida Zois Initiative for its consistency in grassroots advocacy.
According to Oyeniran, Female Genital Mutilation has no medical benefits but rather exposes victims to lifelong complications.
She noted that Nigeria remains one of the countries with a high prevalence of FGM globally, stressing that collaboration among the media, civil society organisations, health institutions and other stakeholders is crucial to achieving the global target of eliminating the practice by 2030.
She educated participants on the medical consequences associated with FGM, including severe bleeding, infections, childbirth complications, infertility and long-term psychological trauma. She urged parents and caregivers to embrace modern medical knowledge and prioritise the health and rights of their daughters.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions, group discussions and testimonies aimed at strengthening community ownership of the anti-FGM campaign. Many participants expressed appreciation for the programme, noting that it had dispelled several misconceptions surrounding the practice.
The sensitisation exercise also featured the distribution of educational materials, practical demonstrations by trained facilitators and the establishment of community support groups to sustain advocacy efforts across the wards in Lagelu Local Government Area.
In her closing remarks, Oyeniran emphasized that the fight against Female Genital Mutilation requires unwavering commitment and collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organisations, traditional institutions, youths and families.
She called for sustained support to ensure that no girl in Lagelu Local Government or any part of Oyo State is subjected to the harmful practice again.
Traditional rulers and community leaders present at the event pledged their support for the campaign, acknowledging the need to dispel harmful cultural misconceptions and promote practices that protect the health and future of girls.
Among the communities represented were Olorunda-Abaa, led by Oba Samuel Oludele Folarin; Kajola, represented by Baale Francis Olusola; Ayegoro, represented by Baale Wahab Odeyemi; Apatere, led by Baale Sunday Alamu; and Molunkan, represented by Baale Lawal R.
The programme concluded with a collective commitment by participants to champion the movement towards the total eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in their respective communities and across Oyo State
