Mirian Gom 
OYO, Nigeria – Health authorities in Oyo State have intensified efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation through a statewide advocacy training targeting healthcare workers across all 33 local government areas.
The Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund and the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health, organises the one-day capacity-building programme in Oyo Town on Thursday.
Officials say the initiative aims to strengthen grassroots advocacy against FGM and equip health workers with tools to identify, prevent and respond to cases of gender-based violence.
Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Muideen Olatunji, describes FGM as a harmful and outdated practice that threatens the health and rights of women and girls.
“The training was designed to equip health workers with the knowledge and tools needed to identify, prevent, and respond effectively to cases of FGM and other forms of Gender-Based Violence,” he says.
Participants receive training on referral pathways for survivors, including access to medical care, psychosocial support and legal assistance.
Health educators are also provided with advocacy materials, identification jackets and reporting booklets to support community outreach campaigns.
According to the World Health Organization, FGM involves procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice can lead to severe bleeding, infections, childbirth complications and increased newborn deaths.
Officials say myths, cultural pressure and misinformation continue to sustain the practice in some communities, despite increasing awareness campaigns.
The Oyo State government says it will continue working with development partners, traditional leaders and civil society organisations to achieve the total abandonment of FGM statewide.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah 
