Women Affairs Minister promises to accelerate FGM elimination in Nigeria

The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim has promised to enhance coordination and response mechanisms, working with various stakeholders to expedite the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.

During the event in Abuja, the commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, she stated the importance of advocacy, policy enforcement, and grassroots engagement, warning that complacency is not an option in the fight to end the practice once and for all.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to implement stricter laws, expand community interventions, and drive cultural transformation to protect women and girls.

She noted that Nigeria is among the countries with the highest burden of FGM, with 19.9 million women and girls affected, according to the 2018 National Demographic and Health Survey. While progress has been made for urgent action, citing the severe physical, psychological, and socio-economic consequences of FGM.

As part of Nigeria’s intensified efforts, she announced key initiatives, including an advocacy walk to the National Assembly to push for stronger legal frameworks and increased funding for anti-FGM programs.

Additionally, Jigawa State, one of Nigeria’s FGM hotspots, the Minister promised to engage community and religious leaders, strengthen local surveillance, mobilize grassroots organizations and youth movements to drive change.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim concluded by stressing that eliminating FGM requires collective responsibility, involving the government, civil society, traditional and religious institutions, and the media.

She reaffirmed her commitment to working with the Ministry of Justice to strengthen law enforcement and accountability while prioritizing education and economic empowerment for women and girls.

The Minister urged Nigerians to unite against FGM, she echoed the theme of this year’s commemoration: “Step Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.”

The event was attended by various national and international organizations, including government agencies, civil society groups, and development partners, all united in their call for urgent action to eliminate FGM and safeguard the rights of women and girls.

Reporting by Hadiza Abdulrahman; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare