…unveils “END FGM CARAVAN”
Executive Director of lnitiative for Girl’s Rights and Health Development, Ayo Bello-Awodoyin has called for intensified advocacy against social and cultural practices affecting rights and health of girls and women in general.
Bello-Awodoyin made the call at a press conference on sensitisation on ending Female Genital Mutilation, held in ile-ife as parts of events to commemorate the 2024 international Women’s Day.
She said the pains and permanent injuries suffered by victims of FGM in some cases can be prevented if necessary advocacies and actions are carried out through media campaigns, community engagements and massive mobilization of stakeholders.
“This year, we emphasize the critical need to eradicate the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is #InspireInclusion. By inspiring understanding and appreciation for women’s inclusion, we contribute to creating a better world. When women are inspired to embrace inclusion, they experience a profound sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
“IGRHD are a youth- led, survivor-led grassroot feminist organisation in Africa committed to weakening harmful social and cultural practices affecting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and women through Media campaigns, Community engagements, Sensitization of in and out of school Adolescents on reproductive rights information and capacity strengthening of young leaders.
“We are also keen on supporting smaller grassroot organisations through trainings and little grants to advance their work to protect the rights of girls and women”, She stated.
The Executive Director, IGRHD seized the occasion to unveil an initiative tagged “END FGM CARAVAN” which she said is designed to inspire radical inclusion of all categories of END FGM movements on sensitisation and advocacies in various communities, starting from ile-ife and later across Osun state and beyond.
She said “Alongside fellow local Activists, I will be leading the caravan in Ile ife, Osun state, Nigeria bearing in mind the diversity and differences in Nigeria we will begin from the palace of the most influential Yoruba king, The Ooni of Ife, with loud sounds of music, talking drums and local dancers, we will sing, dance and chant “Our girls are born perfect, We must end FGM now!”
Participants, volunteers and partners at the press conference described the event as eye opener as they expressed readiness to amplify advocacy against FGM and other related issues in collaboration with the END FGM CARAVAN initiative.
Religious, community and traditional leaders, including law enforcement security agencies were urged to join hands in eradicating all forms of social and cultural practices harmful to Rights and health of girls and women in general
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