Residents of Akinlalu in Osun State have declared that the community has formally abandoned the practice of female genital mutilation and will report anyone caught engaging in it to security agencies.
The decision was announced during a community engagement organised by Action Health Incorporated with support from the United Nations Population Fund.
The event, held in Akinlalu and attended by residents and key stakeholders, marked a public declaration by the town’s traditional institution and community-based groups to end the practice.
Speaking on behalf of the entire community, the Alakinlalu, Oba Israel Oluwabusola, said the town had taken a collective stand against female genital mutilation.
According to him, the residents have agreed not only to stop the practice but to support both health and law enforcement authorities to ensure compliance.
“As the monarch of this town, I have talked to my people and we all have agreed to end the practice of FGM in this community,” he said.
“We will continue to work with the NGO, health officials and security operatives to ensure that nobody engages in this harmful practice and anyone caught will be handed over to the law enforcement agency.”
The monarch noted that traditional beliefs had allowed the practice to thrive in the past. He explained that more awareness has now exposed the health dangers linked to mutilation.
“Our forefathers were not aware then that the issue of stillbirth was due to the complications from mutilating female genitals,” he added.
“The danger there is too much. I want to appreciate the organisation that brought this programme to my town. It is my joy to be part of something that will bring health benefits to my people in Akinlalu.”
Oba Oluwabusola encouraged residents to spread the message beyond the meeting. “We are the cause of some of the problems we face in the future due to our lack of adequate knowledge. That is why this training is very important for our children and us,” he said.
“I want to urge the people here today to also spread the word around the town for those who are not here. I know if we follow what we have been told, our children will live a healthy and better life.”
Programme Officer of Action Health Incorporated, Fatima Idris, commended the community for taking a united stand. She urged participants to pass the anti-FGM message to others across the town.
Mrs Mary Bifarin, founder of Mary Care Foundation, one of the organisations supporting AHI, said the engagement process involved all relevant interests in the town.
“We have been able to get the community engaged and let them know the reason why they should stop the mutilation of female genitals,” she said.
She explained that the organisation held consultations with the traditional ruler, chiefs, Muslim and Christian clerics and residents to ensure full community buy-in.
“The community really cooperated with us and we are grateful for that. Today, we are here for the public declaration to put a stop to the mutilation of female genitals.
“So, we are letting the whole world know that we are not in support of FGM in this community,” she added.
