Voices from the South-West are rising to demand stronger legal frameworks and firmer prosecution of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practices across the region and Nigeria at large. This call came during a focused one-day training and engagement that brought together law enforcement, prosecutors, judiciary members, and Survivor-Centred Legal Aid advocates to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and FGM. Organised by Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), UNICEF, and Movement for Good to End FGM, the event spotlighted FGM’s serious human rights violations, affecting girls often from infancy up to 15 years old.
Mr. Ude Ogunlade from BIGIF highlighted how deep-rooted cultural norms still fuel GBV and FGM, urging unified community action. Bolanle Olufunmiloye, Chairperson of FIDA Nigeria, Ondo State, reminded that FGM is illegal in Ondo State with penalties including imprisonment and fines. She stressed the need for judicial sensitisation to combat growing cases. The training aimed to build stronger inter-agency coordination and survivor-focused approaches to ensure protection, sensitivity, and justice for victims.
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