Ebonyi First Lady Launches Campaign Against FGM

Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, the Wife of the Ebonyi State Governor and Founder of the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), has reaffirmed her commitment to eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Ebonyi State. Speaking at the Ebonyi State Women’s Leadership Summit on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the BERWO Foundation at the Women Development Centre in Abakaliki, she declared that FGM has no medical benefits and warned that perpetrators will face severe penalties.

Mrs. Nwifuru described FGM as a harmful cultural practice that causes severe pain and lifelong health complications. She announced plans for public enlightenment campaigns and emphasized accountability for local government chairpersons in prosecuting offenders.

The summit included traditional rulers, women leaders, civil society organizations, and FGM survivors, all advocating for the elimination of the practice. Mr. Douglas Ogbueli from WHO also addressed the public health concerns associated with FGM.