The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ekiti State Chapter, has called for renewed and sustained efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for the harmful practice, in line with the global theme, “Towards 2030: No End to FGM Without Sustained Commitment.”
The NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Adewumi Ademiju in a statement signed by the Secretary, Comrade Funmi Falae, described FGM as a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of girls and women, stressing that the practice has no health, social, or cultural justification.
Ademiju noted that despite growing awareness and the existence of laws prohibiting FGM, the practice still persists in some communities, often carried out in secrecy, thereby exposing young girls to lifelong physical and psychological trauma.
NAWOJ Ekiti emphasized that achieving the total elimination of FGM by 2030 will require continuous advocacy, strict enforcement of existing laws, sustained community sensitization, and stronger collaboration among government institutions, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and the media.
The association further highlighted the critical role of journalists in shaping public opinion and social norms, urging media professionals to sustain responsible reporting and consistently amplify messages that discourage harmful practices and promote the protection of the girl child.
NAWOJ Ekiti reaffirmed its commitment to using journalism as a tool for social change and called on members of the public to speak out against FGM and support initiatives that will guarantee a safe, healthy, and dignified future for every girl.