Students battle for survival in hospital

Two students of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), who underwent Female Genital Mutilation, have been hospitalised at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre(NOFIC), Abakaliki.They were hospitalised following complications that arose from the FGM they underwent.The state Director of the Agency, Dr. Emma Abah, stated this while addressing students of Urban Model Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Ugwuachara, Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi state.The event is part of activities to mark this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM.This is coming at a time when the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) expressed concerns over the high rate of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) in Ebonyi and Imo states.Dr Abah disclosed that the two female students of Ebonyi state university are battling for survival at NOFIC following complications of FGMAbah, who urged the students not to allow anyone force them to undergo the practice, said: “Two students of Ebonyi state University have already developed problems, we have taken them to UNICEF. They are being treated at National Obstetrics Fistula Centre(NOFIC), Abakaliki free of charge”.He however did not disclose the identify of the victims.“We don’t allow the victims name to be mentioned, we protect them . Even when they are talking, we are interrogating them, we cover their faces. So, we have handed them over to the centre for treatment.“They were mutilated when they were young and now the problem developed. The problem may not be immediate.“Ten years after, the problem starts. If you know any FGM persons who have any complication, any problem, send them to us quickly. A stitch in time saves nine, report to us immediately.“In Ukwuagba community, we took the victims for medical checks to the NOFIC, that has been done. The Commissioner of police has given order that the perpetrators and parents of the victims should be arrested.The HOD, Legal Department of the state NOA, Thresa Ama on her part said some of the perpetrators have been arrested.She said: “Last week, we were called by a traditional ruler in Ohaukwu that some persons mutilated a child of 16 years. When we got there,, we met the persons but the police didn’t give us good response because they are not aware of it. But when we went back there and clarified them, the next day we went there and they were arrested. They are still in police custody for now. We arrested the parents and the cutter; she is a patent medicine dealer, she sells drugs and she cutsin her chemist.“So, the parents took the 16 year old girl forcefully and mutilated her. It is against the VAAP law and the child right Act. You don’t need to force a child to be mutilated. If the child says no, you must respect her no. but they forced the girl, we even went and took the girl to the hospital for medical check up and the Doctor confirmed that the child was mutilated. And so, with that report, we went to the police and showed them the report and the parent and the cutter were arrested”.Those arrested are; Mrs. Onwe Oluchi the patent medicine dealer, Mr. Agbo Ekpa, the father of one of the victims and her mother Mary.Despite the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition(VAPP) Law which stipulates four years imprisonment with or without N200,000 option of fine against perpetrators of FGM if convicted, the practice is still rampant.Meanwhile , the UNICEF Chief of Field Office Enugu, Dr Ibrahim Conteh has expressed worry over the high rate of the practice in the southeast particularly Ebonyi and Imo states.He said that two states in the Southeast, Ebonyi and Imo states have a high prevalence rate of 61 percent and 53.2 percent respectively which is well above the national average of 20 percent.Dr Ibrhim Conte stated this at a one day dialogue with Journalists/Media practitioners in the region in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) at the Bayview Hotel, Independence Layout Enugu.The dialogue was part of activities to mark this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the theme “Unleashing Youth Power”.He called for inclusion of FGM in the school curriculum to fast-track the awareness of the obnoxious practice among school children and bring it to an end.He said that this year’s FGM theme is seeking active participation of youths in the fight against the obnoxious and harmful practice, with huge focus on mobilizing youths for the elimination of harmful FGM practices.The UNICEF Chief described FGM as a human right violation against girls and women which impacts negatively on their lives.He said: “It is a harmful practice which has severe health and psychological consequences. It severely affects the rights of women to reproductive health, emotional stability and wellbeing and denies their opportunity to fully utilize their potential socio-economic development of their society.“The 2018 NDHS reveals that 19 percent of girls )-14 are circumcised. 17 percent of girls are circumcised before their first birthday, FGM among girls is most common among girls whose mothers are cut (56%), whose mothers have no education (24%), and those from the poorest households (27%)”.“FGM among girls is most commonly performed by a traditional circumciser (82%), while 7 percent are performed by a medical professional. 17 percent of women age 15-49 believe that their religion requires FGM. Two-thirds of women believe that the practice should be stopped”, he added.Mr Conte urged stakeholders to accelerate steps towards stopping the practice by adopting coordinated and systematic efforts, promoting policies and positive actions leading to elimination o female genital mutilation, while engaging communities with focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.Director General of BCA Umuahia, Sir Anyaso Anyaso in his opening remark said FGM comprises of all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, health and integrity of girls and women.“Girls who undergo female genital mutilation afce short term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine as well as long term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health”, he said.