Lagos Warns Health Workers Against FGM

By
Kazeem Tunde
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542
Tot ADP 'Female Circumciser Lays Down Her Tools' Before downing her tools, this circumciser, Divinah Murkomen, aged 50 circumcised 500 of the 800 girls circumcised in Marakwet District in December 1999. She put down her tools - a knife and a razor blade -- at the encouragement of NGOs like World Vision, who enlightened her on the myriad hazards associated with FGM. Female circumcision is a deeply rooted cultural practice in Kenya. World Vision Kenya has developed an alternative initiation ceremony that maintains the important period of older women sharing their knowledge and advice with the young girl, without genital mutilation taking place. For twenty years, the women of the Tot region in Kenya have called on Divinah Murkomen to circumcise their daughters. Now Divinah has renounced her trade and insists her two younger daughters will not be circumcised. Africa color horizontal

Lagos Warns Health Workers Against FGM

The Lagos State government has warned health workers and other citizens practising female genital mutilation (FGM) to desist from the act or face full wrath of the law.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, stated this, Saturday, in Lagos, at a press briefing on ending FGM, by Child Health Advocacy Initiatives (CHAI).

Idris, represented by Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara, said: “FGM is a deeply rooted cultural belief that needs to be removed. It is not just enough to make the law, we also need to call people together and create awareness on how to end FGM. In Lagos, we have 44 percent practice because the city is a multi-national state, with various ethnic groups. The practice heals with irreparable scar, which prevents the woman from enjoying sex and having babies, among other harms. Everyone needs to come together to fight it.”

In her speech, Commissioner for women affairs, Hon Dr. Lola Akande, said FGM is an abuse against the girl child and women, hence the need to abolish it.

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