By Amos Aar
A MAKURDI-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mother of Faith Foundation (MOFI), Makurdi, has joined global efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by 2030.
Speaking at the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation held on Thursday at Tower of Hope Schools, Makurdi, stakeholders and experts emphasised the dangers of FGM and the urgent need to strengthen advocacy against the harmful practice.
This year’s theme: “Step Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM,” demonstrated the importance of collective action in eradicating the practice.
Dr Mrs Ngosoo Perpetua Chia, Head of Clinical Psychology at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, educated the students on the dangers of FGM, dispelling the misconception that a woman must undergo genital mutilation to prevent promiscuity.
She also noted that FGM is not only harmful but also a violation of a woman’s right to sexual health and well-being.
“Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights, health, and integrity of girls and women,” Dr. Chia stated and outlined the short-term and long-term health risks of FGM.
The short-term health risks, she said, include: severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty urinating as short-term complications, while the long-term consequences include sexual dysfunction (such as difficulty enjoying sex), complications during childbirth, and psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dr. Chia stressed that while FGM is prevalent in 30 countries across Africa and the Middle East, it also occurs in parts of Asia, Latin America, and among immigrant populations in Western Europe.
“More than 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM. In 2024 alone, an estimated 4.4 million girls were at risk, equivalent to over 12,000 cases daily,” she revealed.
With just five years remaining in the global target to end FGM by 2030, she called for increased investment in community-driven initiatives led by survivors and activists who challenge harmful social norms.
“Ending FGM requires coordinated and systematic efforts engaging entire communities. Advocacy must focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education, and support for survivors,” she stressed.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Awashima Addingi, CEO of the Mother of Faith Foundation, explained that the organisation was founded out of a mother’s resilience to protect children.
Since its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2012, she said the foundation has positively impacted lives in Makurdi, Gboko, and beyond.
“Mother of Faith Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children,” Addingi stated.
In separate remarks, the Principal of Tower of Hope Schools, Mr. Oteme Ngbede, commended MOFI for bringing awareness and education to his students.
As part of the event, anti-FGM awareness flyers were distributed to students, equipping them with knowledge to challenge harmful practices in their communities.
