Secondary School students in Osun State have joined the advocacy against Female Genital Mutilation, describing it as evil that should be condemned by all stakeholders.
The youths who engaged in oratory contest against FGM to drive home their messages, said the practice of cutting female genitalia should be abolished in the country, and warning parents against the act.
In their separate presentations at the grand finale of EndFGM Oratory Contest, sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and implemented by YouthHubAfrica, held in Osogbo, the participants at the debate advanced the dangers of the practice, saying it affects the emotions, health and psychology of survivors.
Among the eight schools that participated in the contest, representatives of Ataoja Grammar School, won while those from Osogbo Grammar School came second and Fakunle High School clinching third position.
The organisers of the contest splashed awards and cash prizes on the participating schools who emerged top and stressed the need for FGM to be abandoned.
Speaking, Yusuf Dauda, project coordinator for EndFGM Oratory Contest in Osun State, said: “The project is sponsored by UNFPA and implemented by YouthHubAfrica with the partnership of Young Men Network Against Gender Based Violence in Osun State. The aim of the programme is to raise general awareness about the evil and menace of Female Genital Mutilation and that is why the project is targeting the youths.
“We started the programme with eight schools, and today is the grand finale, comprising Ataoja School of Science and Osogbo Grammar School. Ataoja School of Science emerged as the winner. We are happy that youths are speaking out against FGM and we want more people to be aware of the dangers of FGM.”
Representatives from the Osun State Ministries of Health, Women and Children Affairs, and Education, relevant NGOs, expressed hope that by year 2030, the practise would have been totally eradicated in Osun and Nigeria at large.
