FIRST LADY OF ANAMBRA STATE DR NONYE SOLUDO, HAS STRONGLY CALLED FOR THE TOTAL ERADICATION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM). (PHOTO).

 First Lady of Anambra State Dr Nonye Soludo, has strongly called for the total eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM), describing the practice as barbaric, inhumane and a gross violation of the rights and dignity of girls and women.

In a statement released on Friday to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Dr Nonye said there is nothing cultural or morally acceptable about subjecting a girl child to what she described as a lifetime of pain, trauma and suffering.

Speaking as the founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, the Anambra First Lady stressed that FGM leaves long-lasting physical, emotional, psychological and sexual scars, warning that many victims are affected for life.

According to the United Nations, more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, while about four million girls are subjected to the practice every year, many of them before the age of five. The UN also warned that 22.7 million more girls could be at risk by 2030 if urgent action is not taken.

Dr Nonye called for stronger advocacy, education and empowerment of girls and women to lead the fight against the harmful practice, noting that education remains one of the most powerful tools for human development and social change.

She warned that the future of young girls is at risk if society continues to turn a blind eye to harmful cultural practices, stressing that the time to act is now, not tomorrow.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is observed globally on February 6 as part of efforts to end the practice and protect the rights of girls and women worldwide.