Apaara community in Oyo East Local Government Area of Oyo State has formally declared the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation, marking a significant step in efforts to end the harmful practice and protect the rights and wellbeing of girls.
The declaration was made during a public ceremony that brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups, youths, government officials, and development partners, following months of sensitisation, dialogue, and community engagement.
Speaking at the event, the Alaapara of Apaara, Baale Tijani Ajeigbe, publicly renounced the practice on behalf of the community, describing Female Genital Mutilation as harmful, outdated, and incompatible with the values of human dignity and child protection.
A Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health, Mr Emmanuel Yelotan, described the Apaara declaration as a major turning point in the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation in Oyo East Local Government Area.
According to him, the process leading to the public abandonment focused not only on awareness but also on accountability.
He expressed optimism that sustained community engagement could significantly reduce the prevalence of the practice across Oyo State, with the long-term goal of achieving zero prevalence.
Also speaking, a representative of the Oyo State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Iyabo Akintayo, urged parents to prioritise the health and future of their daughters, stressing that there is no justification for practices that endanger the physical and psychological wellbeing of girls.
She noted that the government remains committed to enforcing existing laws against Female Genital Mutilation while supporting communities willing to abandon the practice.
The representative of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, highlighted the role of faith-based organisations in driving grassroots change, noting that trained women within communities have been instrumental in challenging long-held beliefs and promoting safer alternatives.
As part of the declaration, Apaara community received a certificate of public abandonment, while signposts erected in both English and Yoruba now serve as constant reminders that Female Genital Mutilation is harmful, unlawful, and unacceptable.
The Apaara declaration adds to growing efforts across the State to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation, as communities increasingly move from awareness to action in safeguarding the health, dignity, and future of girls.
