Juliet Jacob Ochenje
To mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, A Family Physician and anti-FGM advocate, Folashade Akinola, in Osogbo, has warned parents and guardians to cease exposing their daughters to be circumcised, saying it could lead to death.
Akinola, gave the warning in a phone chat while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, adding that the consequence of FGM is death.
She also said that ignorance and negative culture have been the reason for FGM in the country.
“FGM is not good. It is not healthy for the girl child. Unknowingly to those still practising it, it usually results in death.
“The practice carries some harmful side effects which may lead to lifelong damages for the girls, low self -esteem and in some instances death.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), More than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa.
FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.
Treatment of the health complications of FGM is estimated to cost health systems US$ 1.4 billion per year, a number expected to rise unless urgent action is taken towards its abandonment.
“Lack or loss of sexual desire on the part of the woman is one of these. Without knowing the male partner may be blaming the woman for not being responsive during sexual intercourse without knowing the reason behind the coldness or lack of desire on the part of the woman,” she added.
