The United Nations Population Funds in Nigeria (UNFPA) has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has escalated cases of female genital mutilation and other forms of gender based violence in the country.
To eradicate these menaces, UNFPA, through a non-governmental organization in Osun State, reached out to no fewer than 1,100 girls who are survivors of FGM and other GBV with different kits.
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Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the executive director of VFN, Dr Costly Aderibigbe-Sába said the girls were reached through the COVID-19/FGM Girls’ Survival Project supported by the UNFPA.
Among the kits distributed are bags, sanitary pads, towels, soaps, nose masks among other leaflets bearing information about FGM to further enlighten the girls.
She said the girls are residents of rural communities drawn from eleven local government areas. Some of the girls are rape victims and teenagers with pregnancies
She therefore called on the federal government of Nigeria and the federal ministry of health to show leadership and commitment to women and girls’ health by having a separate budget to fund FGM prevention- related programmes and provide health support to women suffering from complications of the deadly practice
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
