By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu – Nigeria media practitioners have been charged to lead the vanguard on fight against Female Genital Mutilation.

A university don, and Head, Mass Communication Department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Dr Chidiebre Ezinwa gave the charge in Enugu on Wednesday.

Dr Ezinwa who is a expert in Child rights and development, spoke on the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation holding tomorrow, February 6^th, noted that the Fourth Estate of the realm has great impact to make in the fight against female Genital Mutilation, FGM and urged them to join hand to change the narrative.

“The media as duty bearers should set the agenda for the realization of protection of rights of the girl child by changing the narrative in female Genital Mutilation in the South East.

“Female Genital Mutilation is a gender-based violence and a human rights violation. Journalists are therefore enjoined to join hands with UNICEF and other relevant agencies in promoting awareness of FGM/ elated laws and policies.

“They should emphasize the negative consequences of FGM as a means of discouraging the practice which is tied to the culture of the people involved who in most cases see nothing wrong with the practice. Journalists should embark on investigative reporting to explore the various dimensions of the practice in our communities where the practice is still prevalent,” Dr Ezinwa said.

Similarly, leaders at all levels in Enugu State have been urged to intensify the fight against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM.

The UNICEF Field Officer, Enugu Zone, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe stated this in Enugu on Wednesday during a media briefing to mark the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation.

Mrs Chiluwe who described FGM as a cankerworm destroying girl child in Enugu State and Nigeria in general, said that FGM is a violation of the girl child right to good health and personal well-being.

“February 6 every year set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

“Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women. It violates fundamental human rights such as the right to health, life, physical and mental integrity and freedom from torture, and can result in complications from detrimental physical and psychological as well as social and economic impacts lasting throughout childhood, reproductive years, and old age.

 “It is a form of gender-based violence, a harmful practice against women and girls, and a public health challenge. It is often undertaken as a traditional rite of passage aimed at limiting sexual enjoyment and “protecting female chastity’. The practice of FGM is rooted in gender inequality and power imbalances between men and women. Female genital mutilation violates the fundamental rights of girls.

“We still have unacceptable prevalence rates across the Southeast states, with Imo state ranking 1st at 38% prevalence among women age 15-49 years and 9.7% prevalence among girls age 0-14 years. Similarly, prevalence among women age 15-49 years in Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu and Anambra states stands at 20.4%, 20.3%, 19% and 13.1% respectively. For girls aged 0-14 years, prevalence stands at 3.7%,3.0%,2.1% and 0.2% respectively for Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states.

“While we appreciate the drop in prevalence (especially among women age 15-49) when compared to previous years’ MICS and NDHS data, this is the most critical time to step up the pace, especially through strengthening alliances among grassroots activists, communities, governments, organizations and the private sector to build a powerful social movement that ends harmful norms, and build movements,” she said.

According to UNESCO, an estimated 27 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM by 2030 unless action is accelerated while every year, over 2 million girls are subjected to female genital mutilation before their fifth birthday.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003.

The theme of 2025 International Day for Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation is: “Step up the Pace Strengthening, Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM”