First Lady Asks Parents to Protect Girl-child’s Rights, Stand Against FGM
Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, has called on all citizens to ensure the safety, security, and rights of Nigerian girls.
She stated this in a statement signed on Tuesday in commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), under the theme “Her Voice, Her Future: Investing in Survivors Led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation”.
In her remarks, she emphasized that the commemoration serves as a constant reminder to Nigerian parents and guardians of their duty to safeguard the rights of all girls.
In addition to urging the wives of governors throughout Nigeria to maintain their support for the battle against female genital mutilation, the First Lady voiced worry about the risks and health repercussions of FGM among girls.
She said:
“We are once again reminded of the responsibility we bear to protect the rights, vulnerability and well-being of the girl child.
Today, I call upon parents, particularly mothers, traditional leaders, and community leaders, where Female Genital Mutilation persists to consider the damage and irreversible health implications inflicted on our daughters.
While acknowledging the progress made in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria, we must confront the practices that still persist, causing irreparable harm to our girls.”
As part of the nationwide effort to stop female genital mutilation (FGM), she praised healthcare providers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and civil society groups for raising their voices.
“I commend all our First Ladies of States, other Non Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and Health care professionals for lending their voices to the fight against Female Genital Mutilation across the entire nation. As we collectively strive for the full eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria by 2030, let all hands be on deck and let us continue to speak up against this injustice done to our girls”, she added.