According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, 25% of women and girls in Nigeria, aged 15-49 years, have experienced Female Genital Mutilation between 2004-2015, with Nigeria having the world’s third-highest FGM burden. The most prevalent six (6) local governments in Ekiti State are Ekiti West (85.2%), Ekiti South West (82.3%), Ikere (79.5%), Ado Ekiti (68.1), Ikole (46.4%), and Ido-Osi (65.8).
The Stop Cut Project aims to reduce the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) by improving law enforcement systems and enhancing public knowledge and awareness via strengthened collaborative efforts championed by critical stakeholders. To achieve this goal, HACEY Health Initiative has trained community representatives in focal person capacity to increase FGM awareness and report FGM cases.
After recent research by HACEY Health Initiative, Ikere, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ido-Osi and Ekiti South-West local government areas revealed the highest FGM prevalence in Ekiti State. Therefore, selected traditional leaders, religious leaders, women leaders, youth leaders, and law enforcement agencies from these four (4) local governments in Ekiti state participated in the training.
The training expanded the focal persons’ knowledge to understand Female Genital Mutilation/cutting, its prevalence and trends, its consequences, the medicalization and the laws against FGM/C in Nigeria and Ekiti State.
The training was followed by the distribution of some materials required by the community focal persons, which included; Nose masks, hand sanitisers, and reporting forms.
