BY OLUFISOYE ADENITAN
The Network Of Reproductive Health Journalists in Nigeria, NRHJN , Ondo State Chapter has called on Traditional Birth Attendants , TBAs to adhere strictly to the rules of no to female genital cutting for the safety of the girl child.
The state coordinator of the group , Alhaja Fatima Muraina made the call during a seminar organised by the network for TBAs and pregnant women at King Jesus Mission Home , Isolo , Akure in commemoration of the 2022 Zero tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation , FGM.
Alhaja Muraina said the sensitisation became necessary considering the dangers involved in the process of genital cuttings.
In a lecture , the coordinator of Inter Africa Committee on harmful traditional practices affecting women and children , Ondo State , Mrs Margret Adebayo REVEALED THAT LIFELONG DAMAGES WERE PART OF CONSEQUENCES OF GENITAL CUTTINGS.
MRS ADEBAYO ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE PRACTICE TO EXCESSIVE BLEEDING, INFECTIONS AMONG OTHERS.
ALSO, A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, DR DANIEL SUPERMAN ENJOINED THE TBAs TO ALWAYS ENCOURAGE THE PREGNANT WOMEN TO VISIT HOSPITALS FOR ANTENATAL CHECK-UPS.
IN A REMARK, THE PRESIDENT OF THE TRADITIONAL BIRTH AWENDANTS IN ONDO STATE, MRS MARY ADARAMOYE PLEDGED THAT THE INFORMATION GATHERED AT THE LECTURE WOULD ASSIST THEM TO CONTINUE TO SENSITIZE THE EXPECTANT MOTHERS AGAINST GENITAL CUTTING AND OTHER HARMFUL PRACTICES.
SOME PREGNANT WOMEN WHO SPOKE APPRECIATED THE NETWORK OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH JOURNALISTS, ONDO STATE FOR THE PROGRAM WITH A PROMISE TO ABIDE BY THE INSTRUCTIONS.