The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)has reiterated the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, describing it as a painful, degrading, and harmful violation of human rights.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to eliminating the practice.
He urged citizens, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to intensify efforts toward ending FGM.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NHRC’s Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, highlighted this year’s theme: “Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.”
Dr. Ojukwu recalled that in 2017, the NHRC, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC), developed a training manual to address human rights concerns linked to FGM.
The manual provides an in-depth analysis of women’s rights, guidelines for reporting cases, and standards for intervention.
To further advance these efforts, the NHRC, with support from UNFPA and UNICEF, has implemented training programmes in five high-prevalence states—Imo, Ebonyi, Osun, Oyo, and Ekiti.
According to Ojukwu, these programme have brought together government agencies, civil society organizations, the media, security operatives, and traditional rulers, leading to increased awareness and positive steps toward FGM eradication.
Ojukwu said the Commission aims to expand these initiatives to other states, subject to resource availability.
He also referenced the establishment of the now-defunct Special Independent Investigation Panel on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in 2019, which played a crucial role in addressing complaints of gender-based violence and empowering survivors with skills and business opportunities.
The NHRC urged Nigerians to report cases of FGM and other human rights violations through its toll-free helpline, 6472, assuring that appropriate actions will be taken in line with national and international legal frameworks.
