United Nations Population Fund in collaboration with a Non governmental Organisation, Action Health Incorporated have organised a 3 day capacity building for Adolescent Girls on using Digital Technology skills.
The 3 day training was held between Wednesday, 27th September -Friday 29th September at Educational Advancement Center, Ibadan the Oyo state capital.
Speaking at the event , the Programme officer , Action Health Incorporated, Fatimah Idris explained that the event is Organised in a bid to put an end to genital mutilation .
She stated that the 3 day programme capacity building programme is targeted at training 49 Adolescent girls which include 30 in-school Students and 10 out-of school Adolescent girls in a bid to build their capacity on the usage of digital skills technology to raise the awareness of Female genital mutilation in Oyo state.
She added that the participants are trained on the dangers and laws binding FGM while participants will pioneer a school club in their various schools in a bid to continue to spread the awareness of FGM.
Adding that participants will become FGM Champion and would pioneer a FGM club in their school .
Idris noted that Action Health incorporated is a non governmental organisation that promotes the health and well-being of Adolescents in Nigeria.
She however advised parents against the dangers of female genital mutilation , FGM, which according to her has no health benefits but harmful to girls.
Also speaking, the Director, the Gender/FGM Analyst, UNFPA, Uzoma Adedeji, said that any alteration, mutilation or cutting of female genitalia significantly alters the ability to perform physiological functions like childbirth.
She added that the maternal obstetrical complications of female genital mutilation substantially increases the risk of maternal death.
In the same vein, Mrs Toyin Adelowokan from Oyo State Ministry of Health, warned that FGM victims could suffer infection of the uterus and vagina ascending from the genital wound and necrotising fasciitis.
According to her, female genital mutilation process could also lead to the formation of a keloid scar because of slow and incomplete healing of the wound.
A beneficiary, Victoria Anozie from Ibadan Municipal Grammar School,I.M.G said that the training had exposed her to technology skills that could be used to raise awareness against FGM, online violence and other forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Another beneficiary from Hausa Community in Ibadan, Mariya Musa, thanked the organiser for the training saying it would go a long way in reducing FGM practice in her community.
. TheWitness
