The Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has launched a renewed campaign to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across the state.
At the launch of a sensitization programme, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Justina Jumbo, described FGM as a harmful tradition based on myths. She explained that the training targets auxiliary health workers from four local government areas.
UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer in Port Harcourt, Dr. Anslem Awudu, said the initiative aims to equip participants with tools to engage and educate communities in order to end FGM by 2030. He added that trained facilitators will work with grassroots leaders, parents, and women to challenge and dispel myths surrounding the practice.
An emotional moment during the event came from Veronica, a survivor from Ahoada East LGA, who shared how she nearly lost her life during childbirth due to complications from FGM.
Healthcare advocates and other participants praised the Rivers State Government and UNICEF for their alternative care programmes, which they said address critical child protection issues across the state.
