The governor of Katsina’s wife, Hajiya Zulaihat Radda, is pushing for the adoption of a comprehensive strategy to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in the state.
On the occasion of the 2024 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, with the theme “Her Voice Her Future,” the governor’s wife made the call in Katsina.
According to her, the way forward in eradication, demands a comprehensive approach involving education, advocacy, and legislative measures.
She explained that the primary objective of the zero-tolerance campaign was to eradicate the deeply entrenched practice of FGM, saying ” it is a violation that robs countless women and girls of their physical and emotional well-being.”
Radda said the campaign aimed to foster a global understanding that perpetuating this harmful tradition had severe consequences for the health, dignity, and autonomy of those affected.
“Our goal is to break the chains of silence and dismantle the cultural norms that perpetuate FGM. This violation of human rights demands collective attention, as we stand united to end it. We must prioritise awareness campaigns to educate communities about the physical and psychological toll of FGM, dispelling misconceptions that perpetuate this harmful tradition.
“Simultaneously, our advocacy efforts must extend to policy-makers, urging them to enact and enforce legislation that criminalises and penalises FGM,” she said.
She claims that the latest figures in Nigeria are quite concerning, adding that Katsina’s percentage of 8% seemed modest when compared to other states.
She further pledged to uphold zero tolerance for FGM in her capacity as Chair of the state’s committee on gender-based violence (GBV).
She noted that collaboration between governments, NGOs and communities, was essential to addressing the root causes and elimination of the social acceptance of FGM.
“Empowering women and girls to speak out against FGM requires a concerted effort to create safe spaces where their voices can be heard without fear of retribution. Let me also in a special way appeal for collaboration with relevant agencies especially development partners in the fight against FGM, not only in Katsina or Nigeria, but globally.
