AHI Marks International Day Of Zero Tolerance To Female Genital Mutilation

The Information Education and Communication Unit (IEC) in conjunction with the Clinic Unit of AHI marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation at St Lukes Junior Grammar School 1, Bariga on February 5, 2010 themed “Youth Participation: Addressing Female Genital Mutilation”.

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The event kicked off at about 9am with a presentation on the effects and consequences of FGM, where and how it is being practiced and why it should be eliminated. Students were also enlightened about the damages caused by FGM which include intense pain in the genital area, internal/external bleeding, infections, infertility or even death.

Students asked questions such as:

• What do they do with the parts that have been cut off?
• Do the Hausas practice it?
• Are girls forced to be circumcised?
• Is it not bad for a man to marry circumcised lady?
• Can a girl who has been circumcised give birth?
• At what age do girls get circumcised?

Participating schools include students from Eva Adelaja Girls Junior Secondary Grammar School, Ajayi Crowther Memorial Secondary School (I & II), and Gbagada Comprehensive Junior High School (I & II).

Over 1,000 young people were reached and AHI newsletters and other IEC materials were distributed to the students.