Edo Partners Stakeholders, Sets Up Technical Committee to End FGM

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has inaugurated a State Technical Committee (STC) to accelerate efforts toward the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across the state.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien, described the event as a major milestone in the state’s sustained campaign to eliminate the harmful practice.

“The inauguration of the State Technical Committee is a significant milestone in our collective efforts to eradicate FGM. This committee will provide the technical guidance and support needed to drive a unified and impactful response to this harmful practice,” she stated.

Mrs. Abdallah explained that the intervention is being implemented by the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) in collaboration with the Edo State Ministries of Health and Women Affairs and Social Development, with support from UNICEF.

According to her, the initiative is designed to accelerate transformative action toward eliminating FGM, in line with the Ministry’s mandate of providing social protection and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly in the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

She applauded UNICEF for including Edo State as a beneficiary of the programme, noting that the partnership highlights the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing deeply rooted cultural practices.

The Commissioner disclosed that the project targets four local government areas Oredo, Egor, Ovia South West and Igueben covering 20 communities where the practice remains prevalent. She added that the journey so far has involved advocacy visits, community sensitisation campaigns and capacity building programmes carried out in collaboration with civil society organisations, government agencies and development partners.

Mrs. Abdallah stressed that the newly inaugurated committee will provide strategic direction and oversight for the project, monitor progress, identify gaps and strengthen partnerships to amplify impact.

She urged members to work collaboratively and leverage their expertise to drive meaningful progress toward a future free from FGM in Edo State.

In his remarks, the Principal Health Assistant at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Nwankwo Steven Okezie, emphasised that strong collaboration among stakeholders is critical to achieving the project’s objectives. He described the inauguration as a clear demonstration of the government’s resolve to eliminate FGM.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Paul Eighemhenrio, underscored the need for strict enforcement of existing laws prohibiting FGM. He stressed the importance of holding perpetrators accountable to deter the continuation of the practice.

Dr. Eighemhenrio expressed confidence in the competence and dedication of the committee members, stating that their collective expertise would significantly contribute to ending FGM across the state.

The highlight of the event was the official swearing-in of members of the State Technical Committee on FGM, administered by Mr. Okezie, marking the formal commencement of the committee’s mandate.