| Around 50 percent of Nigerian women are victims to the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). United Nations (UN) estimates however, put the FGM rate at approximately 60 percent among the nation's female population, with local rates reaching 90 percent.
In view of these realities, AHI joined others globally on February 6, 2008 to commemorate this year's International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM with the theme "The Menace of FGM Practice: Protecting the Girl Child".
The day was commemorated with a centre-based activity attended by ninety-five (95) young people from different schools in Kosofe, Mainland and Shomolu Local Education Districts.
The objectives of the programme were:
- To increase young people's knowledge about the dangers of FGM practice on the girl child
- To enable young people become agents of change in fighting the practice
- To increase the knowledge of young people on their sexual and reproductive health.
The following were discussed:
- Definition and types of FGM
- Reasons why FGM is practiced
- Immediate and long-term health consequences of FGM
- Psychosexual and psychological effects of FGM
- Prevalence and Distribution of FGM
The main side attraction for the day was a quiz competition. Ten (10) students from ten (10) different schools participated in the quiz. Winners were given prizes at the end of the competition.
Other side attractions included brain tasking games such as the riddle game and tongue twisters. Young talented comedians told few jokes that made the event interesting. Dance and song presentations were also delivered.
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