THE IMPORTANCE OF USING YOUTH FRIENDLY APPROACHES TO ENDING FGM/C

Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) is defined as the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external genitalia of a woman or girl. Globally, FGM/C is practiced in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and even in some parts of Europe. Globally, it is estimated that 200 million girls and women have undergone one form of FGM/C or the other. In Nigeria alone, it is estimated that 20 million women and girls have undergone one form of FGM/C or the other. This therefore represents 10% of the global total.

FGM/C poses serious physical and mental health risks for women and young girls. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, FGM/C can be likened to increased complications in childbirth and maternal death. Other side effects include severe pain, hemorrhage, tetanus, infections, infertility, cysts, urinary incontinence, psychological and sexual problems. FGM/C is also a fundamental Human Rights violation as it amounts to torture and also an inhuman practice. FGM/C also serves as a precursor to the girl child early marriage which has an effect on her education and also her chances of being gainfully employed in the future.

While there are so many approaches to ending FGM/C ranging from dialogue sessions, seminars, trainings, workshops, media, rallies, information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns etc. 

Various youth friendly approaches have greatly been neglected by various end FGM/C campaigners, activists, organizations etc. This is indeed shocking because there is a shared belief that youth are the ones to end FGM/C by 2030. If we are to achieve this, it is definitely high time, we start using various youth friendly approaches to increase the involvement of youth in this regard.

From the foregoing therefore, it is high time we start using various youth friendly approaches like sport, games, drama, art; music shows etc to take this end FGM/C message to youth. Youth are known to be energetic, vibrant and therefore need activities to put their energy into. In most of the activities, I have been involved in here in Nigeria; I have come across various youth who have confided in me that all these trainings, seminars were becoming so repetitive and boring to them. That it is high time, we start organizing various youth friendly activities for them. These words really made me to have a re-think and I said to myself that this is indeed one area, we as end FGM/C campaigners and organizations are getting it wrong.

In conclusion, I must not fail to commend some end FGM/C campaigners, organizations who are currently using various youth friendly approaches in their work to end FGM/C. But, a whole lot more are yet to start doing this. It is definitely high time, we start using various youth friendly approaches as a way to increase the involvement of youth in this our shared vision of ending FGM/C in our various communities of interventions. This is because; they are the ones to end FGM/C by 2030.