In a determined effort to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in local communities, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria (TBI), organized an intensive 3-day training program for community facilitators.
Speaking at the training Program held at Oluyole, Ogooluwa, and Oyo East Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Executive Director of Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria, Dr. Dare Olagoke-Adaramoye, emphasized the importance of the initiative, aiming to equip participants with the tools to drive change in their communities.
According to him, “this program focuses on empowering facilitators to engage their communities in meaningful dialogue, educate them on the dangers of FGM, and advocate for its elimination.”
“By educating and empowering adolescent girls, the initiative ensures that young women take the lead in championing their rights and driving community-wide change.”
He stressed that, the training involved 40 community facilitators from Female Youth-Led and Women-Led Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) across 20 intervention communities in the state.
“These facilitators will play a crucial role in promoting gender equality and advocating for the elimination of harmful practices, particularly FGM, among their peers and families.”
He highlighted the psychological, physical, and social impacts of FGM, with a strong focus on protecting future generations from this harmful practice.
The facilitators are now positioned to mentor and empower 300 adolescent girls selected from local Girl’s Clubs to serve as Adolescent Gender Champions (AGCs).
These AGCs will take the lead in advocating for gender equality and the elimination of FGM in their communities, he concluded.
In his goodwill message UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Mr. Denis Onoise said, the training aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to raise awareness and promote the abandonment of FGM, a harmful cultural practice that endangers the health and rights of women and girls.
He emphasised that, participants were selected for their leadership and dedication to women’s rights and they will be training on strategies to end FGM and equipped with skills to conduct similar training workshops within their own communities.
Denis added, UNICEF and Trailblazer plan to continue supporting these facilitators as they take the lead in advocating against FGM within their communities.
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We are the generation that we end fgm✋
It’s a must FGM must end
FGM
Ashim kifayah dasola
octomber 24 ,2024, 03:06
we promise to try all our possible best to put an end to FGM