Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Oyo State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, has trained over 100 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) across four Local Government Areas (LGAs) to tackle and fight against the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) through reflective dialogue and house-to-house advocacy at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye, made this known during the conclusion of a series of high-impact capacity-building workshops and orientation sessions held between May 30 and June 11, 2025. The training took place across four LGAs such as Ido, Oluyole, Olorunsogo, and Saki East in Oyo State.
According to him, over 100 representatives from youth-led, women-led, and male-led CBOs across 20 intervention communities were trained to provide grassroots leadership in the fight to eliminate FGM.
“These trainings were designed to equip participants with the skills to facilitate reflective dialogues and lead household-level advocacy aimed at eradicating FGM in their communities,” he said.
Dr. Olagoke-Adaramoye emphasized that the capacity-building workshops are part of a broader set of interventions under the UNICEF-supported Movement for Good to End FGM.
With more trained facilitators, deeper community engagement, and stronger collaborations in place, Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria is poised to expand its impact, one household and one community at a time.
He also noted that the workshops have fostered collaboration between the trained CBOs and Trailblazer Initiative’s existing network of community facilitators and adolescent girl leaders.
The CBOs have since taken leadership roles in facilitating Girls’ Club activities, conducting sensitization sessions in schools, and supporting adolescent gender champions to replicate advocacy efforts among peer groups.
Dr. Olagoke-Adaramoye further disclosed that since the conclusion of the training, significant progress has been recorded. Over 14,000 individuals have been reached through reflective dialogue sessions, while more than 10,000 households especially those with newborn girls, are being engaged through house-to-house campaigns.
He added that in several communities, participants have successfully engaged traditional rulers, youth groups, and women’s associations, resulting in public declarations and pledges to abandon FGM.
He encouraged the trained facilitators to continue sharing their field experiences, confronting community-level challenges, and developing culturally sensitive advocacy strategies.
Commending their dedication, he urged them to serve as visible ambassadors of the programme, stating, “The work ahead is not easy, but with each conversation, each pledge, and each act of courage, we bring Oyo State closer to ending FGM.”
The Senior Programme Manager of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, Mrs. Mojisola Omotoye, stressed the importance of community-led change and the power of grassroots voices in tackling harmful traditional practices.
She reiterated the need for non-coercive, inclusive, and values-driven engagement in shifting social norms around FGM.
Mrs. Omotoye explained that participants received in-depth orientation on the health risks and psychological impacts of FGM, the four recognized types of the practice, and the legal implications under the Oyo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2020.
She added that the sessions also focused on life-building skills such as critical thinking, empathy, and effective communication, essential tools for community facilitators championing behavioral change.
Some participants, including Mrs. Oyebamiji Omowumi, a health worker from Pegba; Mrs. Ogunfowora Oluwamayowa from Elenusonso; and Mrs. Raimot Hammed from Akufo, described the training as impactful and inspiring.
They praised the use of real-world examples in illustrating the long-term consequences of FGM and the courage required to confront societal resistance.
“Now we are not just talking, we are acting. And we will not stop until our girls are safe,” they affirmed.
