In a determined effort to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Rivers State, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Prof. Justina Jumbo, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health, dignity, and rights of women and girls.

Speaking at the Women Affairs Complex in Port Harcourt, where a three-day training programme was launched in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, Prof. Jumbo emphasized the urgent need for community-driven advocacy to combat FGM.

She revealed that the purpose of the initiative  is to empower women at the grassroots to become champions of change, challenging harmful practices and upholding the rights of every girl child.

The training, which brought together 60 women community-based facilitators, is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to educate others on the physical, psychological, and legal dangers associated with FGM.

Prof. Jumbo described FGM as “a violation of human rights and a deep-rooted issue that requires collective action.”

She praised the support from UNICEF and UNFPA, calling their collaboration “a crucial partnership that strengthens our resolve to end this harmful practice.”

With FGM still practiced in parts of Nigeria, this initiative marks a significant step in empowering local voices to dismantle cultural taboos and promote safe, informed choices for girls.

The programme aligns with UNICEF’s mission to safeguard children’s rights and well-being and amplifies the call for positive, community-led change in advancing gender equity and health for all.