Stakeholders sign pact to end female genital mutilation in Oyo

Stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of government ministries and agencies, civil society organisations, professional bodies, women’s and youth groups, as well as development partners on Monday signed a pact to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) in Oyo State.

The agreement was reached at a high-level conference for traditional and religious leaders on transforming social norms and eliminating FGM to promote gender equality in the state.

The conference, held at the Local Government Training School Hall, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, was convened by the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health (CCPRH) with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and in collaboration with relevant Oyo State institutions.

The stakeholders said the decision was guided by shared cultural, spiritual and moral values that require the protection of the dignity, health and well-being of every child.

In separate remarks, participants noted that FGM is not prescribed by any holy scripture and is recognised both internationally and nationally as a harmful practice and a violation of the rights of women and girls. They also referenced Nigeria’s commitment under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.3 to eliminate harmful practices, including FGM, as well as existing national and state laws prohibiting the practice.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of CCPRH, Prof. Oladosu Ojengbede, said the meeting was convened to acknowledge the encouraging decline in the prevalence of FGM in Oyo State, while also recognising that many girls and women remain at risk or have already been affected.

Speaking on prevalence and trends, the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said available data indicate that although FGM is declining in Oyo State, the practice remains significant in some communities and local government areas within the state and beyond.

He expressed concern that the practice is increasingly carried out at younger ages, often before girls are able to speak for themselves. He attributed the persistence of FGM to entrenched social norms, misconceptions about religion and morality, gender inequality and control over girls’ bodies, as well as economic and status-related factors linked to traditional roles.

According to him, FGM causes serious health, psychological, social and spiritual harm and is prohibited by law. He added that the practice undermines education, economic opportunities and community development, while also contradicting the core values of faiths and cultural heritage.

On the role of traditional and religious institutions, Prof. Ojengbede noted that traditional and religious leaders possess unique authority to shape beliefs, social expectations and community practices, stressing that their words and actions are critical to ending FGM within families and communities.

The highlight of the event was the formal declaration of abandonment of FGM by the stakeholders, particularly traditional and religious leaders.

A key outcome of the pact was the clear denunciation of the practice and a collective commitment to work with relevant government agencies to ensure the complete eradication of FGM by the 2030 deadline.

“We agree to treat survivors of FGM with respect and compassion and to work with health and social services to facilitate access to care, counseling and support without stigma.

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“‘The traditional rulers, chiefs, rigorous leaders and custodians of indigenous faith in Oyo state commit to speaking clearly and consistently against FGM in sermons, teachings, Palace meetings, councils, ceremonies and public events.

“We encourage communities to work toward the development and enforcement of community level rules and afreement that discourage FGM and support the protection of girls. We will actively collaborate with relevant Oyo state ministries, agencies, CCPRH, UNFPA and other partners in ensuring the elimination of FGM in Oyo state.

“We commit to participating in multisectoral platforms, including state and LGA level taskforces to ensure regular dialigue, coordination and follow up on FGM elimination efforts.We will work with authorities and community structures to encourage safety and confidential reporting and to ensure that responses priotise prevention, protection and justice while avoiding a lions that drive the practice underground.

“‘We support the integration of information on FGM, bodily integrity and gender equality into school based and community based education and life skills programmes”, the agreement reads in part.