Connect with us

News

FGM: NHRC Calls for Strengthening of Collaborations

Published

on

FGM: NHRC Calls for Strengthening of Collaborations

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for strengthening of collaborations to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu made the call in his message on the Day of Zero Tolerance for the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Ojukwu reminded the citizens, healthcare workers and other duty bearers of the need to strengthen their collaborations to end FGM in Nigeria.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM” and it is observed on the 6th of February every year.

He noted that the Commission has always been at the forefront of eradicating the painful, unhealthy, harmful and degrading practice of FGM right from time.

Ojukwu observed that NHRC in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) had in 2017 produced a training Manual on human rights and other related issues of FGM in Nigeria to stem the tide of this human rights violation in various communities across the federation.

“The Manual provides a general background analysis of women’s human rights and Female Genital Mutilation, which is a type of violence against women and girls. The Manual also provides a guide for reporting FGM in line with the prescribed standard”, the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria added.

In the same vein, the NHRC Boss disclosed that with the support of UNFPA/UNICEF, the Commission undertook a joint programme on elimination of FGM, conducted training for stakeholders on the use of the developed Manual in five programme focal states namely- Imo, Ebonyi, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti and available statistics have indicated positive changes geared towards eliminating, FGM in the country. The use of the manual and training will be replicated in other endemic states in the Country depending on the availability of resources.

“The participants at the training in the aforesaid states were drawn from relevant MDAs, CBOs, FBOs, Media, Security Agents, Traditional Rulers and CSOs/NGOs and at the end of the exercise, thereafter participants prepared independent and shadow reports”, the Executive Secretary stated.

According to the Executive Secretary, apart from the aforementioned effort to eliminate FGM in the country, the Commission with the support of EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in 2019 established the defunct Special Independent Investigation Panel on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

The panel which was headed by the Executive Secretary sat in the six geopolitical zones of the country, successfully heard and determined complaints of SGBV, and provided empowerment for victims including supporting women to acquire skills and engage in various forms of business activities to earn a living and assist their families instead of depending solely on their husbands who may lack the capacity or willingness to cater for their families.

He used the occasion to urge Nigerians to report all cases of FGM and other human rights violations to the Commission who will in turn take appropriate actions to ensure the protection of the rights of the victims in accordance with municipal, regional and international laws.

He urged citizens to leverage the NHRC toll-free line 6472 to report any case FGM and other cases of human rights violations to the Commission.

FGM: NHRC Calls for Strengthening of Collaborations

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Troops arrest suspected foreign national along Azir–Damboa road in Borno

Published

on

Troops arrest suspected foreign national along Azir–Damboa road in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of 25 Brigade, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected foreign national along the Azir–Damboa road in Borno State.

Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect was apprehended at about 5:55 p.m. on Sept. 5 following a tip-off from local residents about the movement of a suspected foreigner along the route.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect reportedly identified himself as a national of the Republic of Cameroon.

He told the troops that he entered Nigeria through Taraba State and was travelling towards Niger State in search of artisanal work but lost his way.

The suspect remains in military custody for further investigation and necessary action, while authorities work to establish his identity, travel history and circumstances surrounding his presence in the area.

Troops arrest suspected foreign national along Azir–Damboa road in Borno

Continue Reading

News

Troops arrest suspected ISWAP member with gunshot wound in Borno

Published

on

Troops arrest suspected ISWAP member with gunshot wound in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion have arrested a suspected ISWAP member who was found loitering around Papa 7 location in Borno State.

Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect was apprehended at about 9:35 a.m. on Sept. 6 while troops were conducting picketing duties in the area.

The suspect was found with a gunshot wound and was taken into custody for questioning.

Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that the suspect had descended from Gava in the Mandara Mountains in search of medical attention.

Sources attributed his movement to the effects of sustained military pressure and psychological operations targeting terrorist enclaves in the area.

The suspect remains in military custody for further investigation, while security forces continue operations aimed at degrading terrorist groups and disrupting their activities in the Mandara Mountains.

Troops arrest suspected ISWAP member with gunshot wound in Borno

Continue Reading

News

Investigation begins as SNCO dies after shooting incident at Kuje custodial centre

Published

on

Investigation begins as SNCO dies after shooting incident at Kuje custodial centre

By Zagazola Makama

Authorities have commenced an investigation into a shooting incident involving a senior non-commissioned officer at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 9:37 a.m. on Sept. 7 while the personnel was on duty at the facility.

According to the sources, the SNCO fired at his commanding officer, but the shot missed after the officer moved away.

The SNCO subsequently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, and an investigation has been launched to establish what led to the shooting.

The remains of the deceased personnel were evacuated to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) for further action.

Authorities are expected to provide additional details as the investigation progresses.

Investigation begins as SNCO dies after shooting incident at Kuje custodial centre

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights