By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The first lady of Ebonyi state, Chief Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru on Thursday revealed that the rate of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the state has dropped by 54 percent.
She made this known during a road walk to mark the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, organized by her pet project, the Better Rural Women Life Initiative (BERWO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and development partners.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Nwifuru, represented by the Team Leader of BERWO, Mrs. Nkechi Echiegu, described the decline as a significant step towards eradicating the harmful cultural practice.
With the theme of the event tagged “Stepping up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to end FGM,”she called Traditional Rulers, Stakeholders and Birth attendants to work collectively to achieve zero tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma represented by her Head of Department, Mrs Roseline Orji said that joint alliance with Community and Religious leaders would assist in the reduction of the female Genital Mutilation.
UNFPA representative Kosarachi Nwite and the coordinator, Gender Based Violence Taskforce, Mrs Faithvin Nwanchor promised their committed to ensure its continuous decline as a severe violation of human rights, affecting women and girls.
Offenders of this ill – treated cultural menace have been advised to desist to avoid being trapped by the State Violence Against Persons Prohibition law.