Imo First Lady Leads Renewed Drive To End Female Genital Mutilation With Launch Of W-CAN
The First Lady of Imo State, Dr. Chioma Uzodimma, has reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the rights, health, and future of girls across the state with the inauguration of the Women Community Activation Network (W-CAN), a strategic platform aimed at accelerating the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The initiative, organized by the Goodhope Women Flourish Initiative with support from the UNFPA-UNICEF Nigeria Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, brings together women leaders from all 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State to serve as advocates and change agents in their communities.
Speaking through representatives and stakeholders at the inauguration, Dr. Uzodimma’s vision for an Imo State where every girl grows up free from harmful traditional practices was echoed throughout the gathering. The First Lady has consistently championed initiatives that promote the welfare of women and children, making the fight against FGM a key part of her advocacy for social protection and gender-based violence prevention.
The event attracted a broad coalition of stakeholders, including Ugoezes (wives of traditional rulers), religious and community women leaders, persons with disabilities, market women representatives, government officials, law enforcement agencies, legal practitioners, traditional institutions, and media organizations.
Participants commended the First Lady’s unwavering support for efforts aimed at safeguarding girls from FGM, a practice that continues to expose victims to severe physical and psychological consequences, including infections, chronic pain, childbirth complications, trauma, and, in some cases, death.
Stakeholders also reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the Imo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, which criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation and provides legal protection for women and girls.
With the establishment of W-CAN, women across Imo State are expected to strengthen community engagement, increase awareness, and promote accountability in the campaign to eradicate FGM. The network represents a major step toward achieving the First Lady’s vision of a safer and healthier future for every girl child.
Under the leadership and advocacy of Dr. Chioma Uzodimma, stakeholders expressed confidence that Imo State can move beyond reducing FGM prevalence to achieving complete eradication of the practice.
The message from the inauguration was clear: every girl deserves the right to live, grow, and thrive free from harm.
Women Community Activation Network (W-CAN) — Yes We Can!
