World Day On Zero tolerance Against Female Genital Mutilation: Egbara holds press conference, educates Cross Riverians Against dangers of the negative practice.

World Day On Zero tolerance Against Female Genital Mutilation: Egbara holds press conference, educates Cross Riverians Against dangers of the negative practice.

By Eriacy Confidence Oba

Yesterday the 6th February 2020 marked the world day on Zero Tolerance Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also known as female circumcision. It is a day set aside by the United Nations to give attention to this negative cultural practice against the girl child, which is prevalent in some parts of the developing nations specifically in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 200 million girls and women alive have undergone female genital mutilation in the countries where the practice is concentrated. Furthermore, there is an estimated three million girls at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation every year and majority of these girls are cut before they turn 15 years. The practice subjects the girl child to an inhuman and unbiblical pain of partially or totally removing her external genitalia for non medical reasons which ultimately affects her adulthood as a sister, wife and mother.

Like all concerned organizations and individuals, the Cross River State Government, through the ministry of humanity and social welfare joined their counterparts in other climes to mark the day.
Speaking yesterday before an esteemed members of Fourth Estate of the Realm in Calabar, the Honourable commissioner for Humanity and social welfare, Mrs Blessing Egbara lamented the negative health, social and psychological impacts that the practice brings upon the victims, imploring all stakeholders to educate people about the inherent dangers and consequences of the negative cultural practice in the state.

However, the commissioner expressed hope in the child right act recently signed into law, insisting it will further strengthen institutional framework to protect the child against such harmful traditional practices.

"Thankfully, the state Government has signed into law the child right act; this will further strengthen institutional framework to protect the child against harmful traditional practices which reduce their values, self worth and confidence.

The Executive Governor, Sir Ben Ayade's resolve to educate every child of school age is another milestone that will speed up the removal of impediments and practices clogging the wheel of Progress and development of the state." She said.

Mrs Egbara, who applauded prof. Ben Ayade for his great strides in the state within the last four and half years as Governor of Cross River State,  emphasized the importance and contributions of women in societal development and called for partnerships from both the public and the private sectors in putting an end to the negative cultural practice to enable them play their role optimally as  mothers, daughters, wives and sisters of the society.

"In the ministry of humanity and social welfare where I am saddled with the responsibility of overseeing, the Executive Governor of our dear state, Prof. Ben Ayade and his amiable wife Dr Linda Ayade, out of their love for the welfare of the downtrodden and less privileged mandated us to conceptualize, plan, design, implement and coordinate policies and programmes aimed at giving this often neglected but important population of the society a sense of belonging; and to equip them with the requisite skills and resources to fully integrate into a critical mass that will engender development and progress of the state"

The Commissioner noted  that although the task of bringing this age long practice to a conclusive end in the state is arduous and daunting but hopes that with the collective resolve and cooperation of all stakeholders, FGM will be reduced to the bearest minimum.

She expressed hope in Gov Ayade's vision and unwavering resolve to build  a Cross River State that all will be happy to live and  contribute their quota for the progress and development

"Towards this end, the Ministry under my watch shall be collaborating with you both the mainstream and online media to disseminate information and sensitize our target audience to ensure success is achieved"