Five states of the South East have so far recorded thirty-five percent of female genital mutilation cases which is the highest in the country, while the North East had Just six percent which is the lowest.
This was disclosed by the United Nations children’s fund, during a zonal media dialogue in Enugu as part of activities marking the 2022 international day of zero tolerance to female genital mutilation.
According to Mrs Maureen Zubie Okolo, the planning, monitoring and evaluation specialist of UNICEF, who noted that female genital mutilation is on the increase among Nigerian girls below fourteen years, Nigeria accounts for the third highest number of women and girls to experience mutilation in the world, describing the exercise as physically and psychologically harmful as according to her, it has no place in modern society.
In his speech the Director-General of Broadcasting Corporation of Abia state Mr Anyaso Anyaso represented by Mr Okezie Nkpa, who noted that female genital mutilation consists of all procedure that involves altering or injuring the female genital for non-medical reasons which according to him is a violation of human rights, the health and integrity of girls and women.
In their speeches, two resource persons, Mr Victor Atuchukwu and Barrister Ijeoma Ajanwachukwu said the media have important roles to play in the campaign against female genital mutilation.
The communication officer UNICEF field office Enugu, Dr Ijeoma Ogwe in her address said the media dialogue engaged Journalist with relevant skills on how to spearhead the campaign against female genital mutilation.