Osun NGO Embarks On Far-reaching Media Campaigns For Eradication Of Female Genital Mutilation

A Non-Governmental Organisation in Osun State, Value Female Network (VFN) has launched radical campaigns on social and traditional media with a view to eradicating the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) within and across the state.

The media campaigns, according to the coordinator of the FGM advocacies, Mr Timothy Agbor, are necessary because members of the public, especially in rural communities will be sensitised on the dangers of mutilating girls and women and the need to stop it.

The media advocacies are being carried out on radio stations across the state and social media.

The radio programmes are aired on both English and Yoruba languages on Rave FM 91.7, Osogbo and Uniq 103.1 FM,Ilesa.

According to Agbor, the media advocacies against FGM are sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

“For us at VFN, there is a need to further our awareness and advocacies against FGM on media, both traditional and new media. We discovered that most people are yet to be aware of the complications of this practice.

“So, we saw a need to create this media engagements and taste discussions around FGM and proffer workable ways of ending it. We have the English language programme tagged LET’S TALK FGM, and the Yoruba language programme tagged DÍDÉKUN ABÉ DÍDÁ FÚN OMOBÌNRIN. While Rave will air every Saturday, Uniq FM will air every Thursday.

“Because we are aware that the Social media connect the world, allowing us to communicate with a large number of people over a wide geographical area in real time, we are capitalising on this and using it to reach out to as many members of the public as possible. On broadcast stations and Social media platforms, we invite End FGM campaigners working across the state to drive social change through the sharing of ideas, campaigns, photos, and stories.

“So far on this media engagements, seasoned advocates against FGM and health practitioners, among other stakeholders have been featured to sensitise members of the public on the need to abandon FGM.

“We have had an End FGM Champion and UNFPA Focal Point Person who doubles as a consultant for UNFPA on FGM for Oyo, Ekiti and Osun, Mrs Aduke Obelawo and the Executive Director, Value Female Network, Dr Costly Aderibigbe-Saba on our shows so far and we will still feature traditional rulers, lawyers and religious leaders to dissect issues around this menace,” he added.

He therefore enjoined members of the public to stay tuned and desist from the practice while appreciating UNFPA for sponsoring the campaigns.