Hacey Health Initiative Is Fighting Against FGM in Osun State

In a seminar held on the 7th of April tagged: “Capacity building Workshop For Stakeholders on Female Genital Mutilation, policies and Law,’ Hacey Health Initiative explained the implications of FGM on female children and the role of media in stopping these practices.

While speaking at the seminar, the Women’s Coordinator for the Osun State Ministry of Health, Mrs Toyin Adelowokan, urged the media to take an active role in campaigning against Female Genital Mutilation in Osun State by actively sensitising people.

“We need the media to help us. [The] Ministry of Health wants the media to campaign against Female Genital Mutilation.”

Mrs Toyin noted that the media is the watchdog of the society and where their seminars cannot get to, the media can. This is why they implore the media to sensitise the people. 

“If you don’t speak out, you are contributing to the social vices in the society.”

She reiterated that the training started three days before and since then they trained government officials, chief security officers, and now media personnel, noting that the media needs to make it a priority to sensitise people and enlighten them on the implications of the act.

She implored the citizens to also join in stopping FGM in their various areas by telling people who are not aware of the consequences.

“It is a sin if you see someone participating in Female Genital Mutilation and you to talk and it is punishable under the law.”

She concluded by appreciating the effort of Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola and other government officials for various programs in waging war against FGM.

Meanwhile, the coordinator for Hacey initiative in Osogbo, Ayobami Alabi, noted that he sees the media as a tool that can be used to reach the grassroots of society and teach them about ending this practice because people listen to the radio and other media channels.

“The media is a great tool in reaching out to the people in the grassroots and that’s why we are urging you to help campaign against it.”

Alabi said the sensitisation is for traditional rulers, stakeholders and community members to be aware of the consequences as it is a criminal offence under the law.

However, he urged the people to inform their neighbours about the consequences of FGM and if they do not listen they have a number they can call to reach their organisation.