Awareness Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation: ‘Hon.Mrs Chika Ibekwe Takes The Lead In Combating FGM In Ngor-Okpala LGA

An awareness campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was held in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area Imo State. The event aimed to reinforce the ongoing fight against FGM within the communities of Ngor-Okpala and across the state.
Speaking at the epoch making event, The Executive Council Chairman of Ngor-Okpala LGA, Chief Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, expressed gratitude to the constituents of Ngor-Okpala for their steadfast support in the fight against FGM within their respective communities.
She futher extended appreciation to the Governor of Imo State His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma and his amiable wife, Her Excellency Barr Mrs Chioma Uzodimma PHD for their unwavering commitment to eradicate FGM in Imo state.
“Her Excellency’s consistency and proactive approach in conducting awareness campaigns and actively fighting against FGM were highlighted as crucial factors in the state progress” She added.
Hon.Ibekwe appreciates her Excellency’s consistent and proactive efforts in raising awareness against FGM in Imo state, leaving a footprints to be followed.
The Commissioner for women affairs and social welfare Hon Lady Nkechiyere Ugwu talked to Ngor okpala people on the need to completely eradicate FGM in their LGA, She urged them to take the message to every community in Ngor okpala for the safety of women and girl child, The Executive chairman appreciated her for her dogedity and total commitment to curb the discrimination against women by making them go through such an unbearable pain.
She commended the Honourable
commissioner for women affairs and social welfare aka Mama Palliative is a serious advocate of FGM and a figure of mentorship to Imo women.
While speaking; The Commissioner promised commitment through the help of the government to enforcing existing laws that criminalize the practice of female genetial multilation and developing new policies that protect women and girls. We will also be working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

His Lordship Mrs. Chinaemerem Onuegbu speaking to the audience emphasized on the needs to empower women and girls with knowledge about their rights and the dangers of this practice. We must also engage men and boys as allies in this struggle. We must work with traditional leaders and community heads to identify and promote alternative rights of passage that respect the dignity of women and girls; she added.t
She also suggested an urgent need to have open and honest conversations about FGM, breaking the silence that surrounds this issue. She made it clear that one of the risks involved in FGM is that it can result to serious consequences of infecting a new born with deadly diseases in the process of this unhealthy practice.
Our ministry is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services to survivors, raising awareness about the dangers of FGM, and working with communities to promote alternative rites of passage. We must strengthen our healthcare systems to better and support survivors to prevent future cases of FGM. We must also work to train more health professionals on how to properly help a survivor of FGM. We must work with the local communities and traditional rulers to find alternative customs that are not harmful to people says Mrs. Stella Ukaegbu, Gender/FGM Desk Officer, Ministry of Health, Secondary and Tertiary Health Management.
The Leader of Council Hon Engr Donald Chibuike Agbugba: Moved the motion;
to completely eradicate FGM in Ngor okpala LGA, The specific goal of the motion, referring to the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Ngor-Okpala LGA.

The Chief Whip Ngor Okpala LGA Hon Emma Nkwocha supported the motion, indicating it has been seconded.
This indicates a commitment by the Ngor Okpala LGA council to address and eliminate the harmful practice of FGM.
Dr Mrs Victoria Ibe (HOD health) raised serious concerns about the implications and suicidal treats in Female Genital Mutilation in our society, futhermore she argued Ngor-Okpala Constituents to be vigilant.

The Deputy chairman Ngor okpala council of traditional rulers: Eze Basil Anyanwu (Uhu 11 of Umuhu) condemns Female Genital Mutilation in Ngor-Okpala, indicating that he disapproves and speaks out against the practice in rural areas.
Hon. Leona Nkwocha (Chairperson) expressed deep gratitude to all participants of the FGM summit in Ngor-Okpala for their commitment to eradicating the practice, urging continued action to create a safe and equitable future. She thanked speakers, organizers, traditional rulers, and all who supported the cause, emphasizing the importance of translating words into tangible change.

Others who grace the event are Ugoeze’s, Representatives of PG’s,Students from Ngor Okpala high school and Lumen christi secondary school and various women groups, stakeholders and other Distinguished guests.





