The Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has renewed her call for the total eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), urging stakeholders across the state to intensify efforts to end the harmful practice.
Dr. Oyebanji made the appeal in Ado Ekiti while addressing journalists at a press conference to commemorate this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
Speaking in her capacity as Chairperson of the Ekiti State Action Committee on Gender-Based Violence, the First Lady described the continued prevalence of FGM as unacceptable and called for collective action to combat what she termed a deeply rooted menace.
She appealed to political leaders, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, community heads and other critical stakeholders to rise to the challenge without further delay.
“We must feel a collective need so deep that it compels us to act differently. Our laws against FGM must move from paper to practice. Our cultural dialogue must move from tacit acceptance to courageous condemnation. Our pulpits and palaces must echo with a unified message of protection.” She said.
Dr. Oyebanji noted that this year’s theme, ‘2030: No End to Female Genital Mutilation Without Sustained Commitment and Investment,’ underscores the urgency of sustained advocacy, policy enforcement and resource allocation in the fight against FGM.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Gender Unit in her office to intensify monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure justice for survivors and accountability for perpetrators.
“The Gender Unit in my office will continue to serve as a fortress of justice. No case must go unreported, no perpetrator must go unprosecuted under our domesticated laws, and every survivor must receive not only legal aid but compassionate and holistic support". She assured.
Responding to questions from journalists, the Executive Director of The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) , Mrs. Abimbola Salako-Aladejare, acknowledged notable progress in reducing the incidence of FGM in Ekiti State and the process supported by United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA).
According to her, recent data show that the prevalence rate has dropped significantly from 72 per cent in 2024 to 48 per cent, reflecting the impact of sustained advocacy and community engagement.
She explained that part of the success recorded was due to the strategic inclusion of traditional rulers, community chiefs and religious leaders, particularly in rural areas, at the forefront of the anti-FGM campaign.
“We realised that to change mindsets, we must engage those who hold cultural and spiritual influence in the communities. Their voices carry weight, especially in rural settings". She said.
“One of the biggest obstacles we face is that several cases go unreported. This makes it difficult to prosecute offenders and fully address the scale of the problem". She added.
The press conference was attended by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, alongside other political office holders, civil society representatives and gender advocates.
The renewed call by the Ekiti First Lady adds momentum to ongoing efforts in the state to eliminate FGM and safeguard the rights, health and dignity of girls and women, in line with national laws and international commitments aimed at ending the practice by 2030.
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