BY NKECHINYERE OGINYI
This came after a long community health engagement organized by a USAID-funded organization Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N).
His Royal Highness Eze Linus Nwizi of Ezza - Inyimagu community during the event at Izziogo central school on Saturday, said it was prohibited for pregnant women to miss antenatal care or practice FGM on their female children.
Ezza Inyimagu is made up of 28 villages and the by-law abides in all the community residents.
The community also warns against forced marriage in the community noting that it is also part of GBV.
Eze Linus Nwizi, while addressing the villagers, said defaulters of the law shall pay #10.000 cartons of beer or risk being banished from the community.
He implored pregnant women to ensure that they collect money from their husbands to attend antenatal care at government-approved hospitals.
According to the traditional ruler, It is a community by-law as some pregnant women usually die on giving birth, and sometimes the child will die as well.
"That is why we made the bye-law.
I said we will be given 10.000, one carton of beer, and two gallons of palm wine.
"Anyone who defaults the law, we will sack them from his village. If it is the man, we will collect his land, if it is the wife.
"I thank BA N and other NGOs who have been preaching to us and we have come to realize the challenges those practices impose on us including maternal death.
"This public declaration is the first stage, I will be going from school to school, village playground, churches, in the market to educate our people so that the law will be obeyed.
"The maternal death rate is high, let's stop FGM both young and old stop it. If you see anyone in the act both the actor and the survivor, report to my cabinet we shall take immediate action.
"Women don't access ANC, their husbands are mandated to guide their women to go for antenatal, the husband should provide the money for the wife for the antenatal services if your husband fails to give you money, report to us because it is by going for antenatal that the pregnant woman will no her health status and the baby to avoid maternal death.
"The world is developing, let us stop the early marriage, allow your child to grow, and choose a husband don't force your child into marriage.
"If you are forced into marriage, report to my cabinet for action".
Charity Odio the capacity strengthening officer, BA Nigeria commended the community for taking such a bold step to end GBV in the area and maternal mortality rate.
