The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has called for an end to female genital mutilation (FGM), describing the practice as barbaric and a gross violation of the rights and dignity of girls and women.
Soludo, who is the founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, made the call in a statement released on Friday to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, observed annually on February 6.
She said there is nothing culturally or morally acceptable about subjecting a girl child to FGM, noting that the practice inflicts lifelong pain and trauma on its victims.
“FGM is not just a violation of the rights and dignity of girls and women; it is an obnoxious practice that ought not to have existed at all,” she said.
The Anambra First Lady stressed the need for sustained advocacy and the empowerment of girls and women to take the lead in campaigns against FGM, particularly in an era where education has become a critical tool for human capital development.
She warned that the physical, mental, emotional and psychological injuries associated with FGM could have long-term consequences and ruin the lives of affected girls and women.
Citing United Nations data, Soludo noted that more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM and require access to appropriate care services, while an estimated 22.7 million additional girls could be at risk by 2030 if action is not accelerated.
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She added that about four million girls are subjected to the practice every year, with over two million occurring before the age of five.
“The future of our girls is in serious doubt if we continue to turn a blind eye to these barbaric cultural practices. We do not have to wait until 2030. The right time was yesterday,” she said.
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation was introduced in 2003 by the United Nations as part of global efforts to eradicate the practice, which the UN describes as a violation of fundamental human rights.
Separately, Soludo recently highlighted the importance of early detection in the fight against cancer, calling for a reassessment of common lifestyle choices, particularly daily dietary habits, which she said contribute significantly to the rising incidence of the disease in many communities.