Over 200 million females now victims of FGM in Africa, Middle East, Asia – Obasanjo

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By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Monday said over 200 million girls and women were victims of female genital mutilation in Africa, middle east and Asia
Chief Obasanjo disclosed this at Mapo hall in Ibadan while speaking through Basegun of Egbaland, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi at a one-day international summit on female genital mutilation.
The former President declared that it is now time to put a stop to genital mutilation considering its negative consequences on the victims which according to him far outweighed ‎the cultural value attached to it.
He stressed that there is the need for members of Circumcision Descendants Association of Nigeria who are responsible for the female genital mutilation to have a rethink and put a stop to the practice.
Speaking further, Chief Obasanjo gave other dangerous effects of female genital mutilation to include severe pain, excessive bleeding, infections and tetanus, genital tissue swelling, urinary problems, shock, infertility, and sexual problems.
Speaking, the Grand Patron/Chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Chief Abiola Ogundokun ‎expressed the determination of the body towards stopping female genital mutilation.
Chief Ogundokun urged government to “look at the other side of the practice that has been warning us of the economic support to also consider the need for support to this family whose source of livelihood is being taken from them in a manner that will provide alternative sources of income to alleviate the possible economic effect that may likely affect their families”.
He added that if this could be done,‎ we will hereby put a total stop to female genital mutilation which is now in place, saying, “we should mobilize community stakeholders like circumcisers to support campaign for the eradication of the practice in the six states of the South West zone”

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