Imo Students Salutes UNICEF For Its Campaign Against FGM
By Uche Onwuchekwa
Efforts by the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) to tackle the scourge of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in various parts of the country has begun to bear fruits following renewed massive sensitization/public enlightenment campaigns among girls in and out of schools in some communities in Imo state.
Victor Atuchukwu – Child Protection Specialist – UNICEF Field Office Enugu recently presided over a 3-day training on “Life Skill and FGM Elimination for Adolescent Girls (in and out of school) to enhance their capacity to become change agents in their families.
This took place in 23 and 31 communities in the Ihitte/Uboma and Ideato North council areas of the state at Isinweke and Urualla respectively.
At the workshop which featured lectures on “End Violence Against Children (VAC), “End Violence Against Women and Girls” (VAWG). “EVERY CHILD DESERVES AN IDENTITY” END FGM” END CUTTING GIRLS AND COVID 19 IS REAL” with questions and clarifications from the participants and the UNICEF resource persons.
Meanwhile, the participants who spoke to journalists shortly after the event such as: Umeh Ujunwa Goodness from Umeagboghiosu Eluama Osina, Aguh Chinecherem Favour from Umuokpara Akokwa, and Udegbe Gift Onyinyechi from Umume Obodokwu, in their separate speeches expressed gratitude to UNICEF for organizing the programme which they said had enlightened them on the dangers inherent in FGM.
The also expressed delight for being part of the training, saying they had learned about how to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation, skills to become peer educator.
They further commended UNICEF for making them great, and making the world know that circumcising women is not the right thing.
The excited participants also thanked the Imo state Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group for implementing the programme, promising to reach out to many adolescent girls in their schools, churches, families, friends, and the larger society.
The event also features class discussion, questions and answers, Peer Educator Skill, Declaration of commitment by the participants just as group photography also featured at the event.
