Abia First Lady Supports Female Genital Mutilation Survivors, Urges Stronger Action to End Practice

The First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, recently provided financial support to five women who survived female genital mutilation (FGM) and called for stronger nationwide efforts to eradicate the harmful practice. She made the appeal during an event marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM in Umuahia, describing the practice as a serious violation of the rights and dignity of girls and women.

Mrs. Otti stressed that FGM offers no health benefits and can lead to severe pain, trauma, infections, complications during childbirth, and lasting psychological harm. She emphasised that culture should protect life and respect human dignity, not inflict harm.

Highlighting the state’s legal stance, she noted that Abia has fully adopted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act into state law, making FGM a criminal offence. However, she added that laws alone are insufficient without effective enforcement, education, and reporting mechanisms to eliminate the practice.

She also urged traditional leaders, religious organisations, and community advocates to step up awareness campaigns and provide ongoing support for survivors. Speakers at the event agreed that sustained public education and community involvement are crucial to completely ending FGM by 2030.