In partnership with YouthHubAfrica and supported by UNFPA Nigeria under the UNICEF-UNFPA joint programme to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, the Young Men’s Network Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence has inspired students across eight schools in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ekiti State.
The inspiration came through a ‘End FGM Oratory Contest’ which took place at various schools in Ekiti State, included Ado Grammar School, Ado Community High School and Iworoko Community High School Ekiti State.
Others target schools included Muslim College Ado, Annunciation Schools Ikere, BOBAS High School Ikere, Eleyo High School Ikere and Ansar U Deen Comprehensive High School, Ado Ekiti with the project cutting across Ado Ekiti, Iworoko Ekiti, and Ikere Ekiti LGAs.
Students from these secondary schools displayed their oratory talent, composure and ability to structure arguments and speak fluently as they advocated against the harmful practice of FGM.
The oratory contest centered on the topic “Understanding FGM and the roles of boys in ending FGM – Types, Consequences, Harmful Effects and A way forward/Action Plan.”
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Participants presented persuasive arguments, emphasising the urgent need to end FGM, especially in rural areas, and highlighted the severe impact this practice has on the lives of women and girls.
The acting state coordinator of the Young Men’s Network Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence – Ekiti State Chapter, Adebayo Abiodun, noted that the contest’s goal was to raise awareness, strengthen advocacy efforts, and equip students with public speaking skills to further the cause against the practice of FGM with the goal of enlisting the students as EndFGM advocates in order to end the harmful practice in this generation.
Adebayo stressed that the damaging consequences of FGM for women and girls cannot be overstated, urging key stakeholders to ramp up efforts to eradicate the practice in Ekiti State.
The contest endorsed by Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Health and Women Affairs supported efforts by critical stakeholders in sustaining awareness against FGM practice in Ekiti State as it is a violation of the human rights and and form of violence against girls and women.
At the end of the event, participating students were awarded certificates, while schools received recognition on behalf of the winning classes.
The event ended on a powerful note as students pledged to join the campaign against FGM in their communities by signing commitment forms, committing to educate their peers and families on the dangers of the practice.
