The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has urged for collective action to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Thursday to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Meranda emphasized the need to eradicate the harmful practice, which continues to violate the rights of millions of girls and women.
FGM involves the partial or total removal of female external genitalia for non-medical reasons, often performed on girls between infancy and adolescence. The practice is widely condemned as a violation of fundamental human rights, affecting health, security, and dignity.
Meranda aligned herself with global efforts to put an end to FGM, stressing the importance of urgent and collective action.
“This year’s theme, #StepUpThePace, is a call for accelerated efforts to eradicate this inhumane practice. Ending FGM is not just the duty of governments but a shared responsibility among legislators, healthcare professionals, activists, and every concerned individual,” she stated.
She reaffirmed her commitment to advocating policies that raise awareness and safeguard young girls from this practice, adding that protecting their health and dignity should be a top priority for society.
Meranda called on stakeholders at all levels to take concrete steps toward ending FGM, insisting that a world free from such harmful practices can be achieved through collective effort.
(Prompt news)