...Inaugurates GBV Mobile Court Committee
BY AMUCHE AGBO 
The Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Mrs Rachel Ogonna Umahi has declared war against female genital mutilation (FGM) and all other forms of gender-based violence against women and girls in the State.
Mrs Umahi made the declaration in Abakaliki, during a road work to mark the commemoration of 2022 International day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation, with the theme: "Accelerating Investment to End FGM and Creation of Awareness on the Dangers of the Menace."
Mrs Umahi represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Princess Deborah Chinwe Okah, identified the practice as a severe violation of the rights of women and girls, noting that with the accelerated advocacy and increased investment to end the menace, the Sustainable Development Goals target of eliminating FGM by 2030 could be achieved.
According to her, “as we join the rest of the world in commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, it is imperative that we restate the need for the support of relevant stakeholders and indeed the entire Ebonyians to end this menace, as well as strengthen strategies and approaches to end what is today, one of the most inhuman acts of gender-based violence in the world.
“This heinous act, aimed at subduing women, is a painful damaging of the genitals and violates a person’s right to health, security and physical integrity. Urgent action and increased collaboration among stakeholders is needed to end this violation, and stop the suffering of millions of girls.
“Governments at all levels, development partners and civil society organizations, among others must accelerate investment, exploring more innovative ways to bring this global menace to an end,” she said..
Reassuring that her office is committed to tackling the root causes of gender inequality and working for women’s social and economic empowerment, she said access to education, especially to the girl-child is a necessary tool in addressing the scourge.
“This is why we have sustained investment in education, focusing on education and restoring the quality of the basic educational system," she added.
However, she promised that her administration will continue to create an enabling environment for the girl-child to realise her fullest potential and occupy her rightful position in the society.
On their part, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Sunday Nwangele and his culture and Tourism counterpart Barr. Elizabeth Ogbaga and the chairman of coordinators forum Mrs. Beatrice Eze, all condemned the practice of FGM in its entirety and called for outright stoppage of the menace, as it has wreaked a lot of havoc on women in the society.
They trio, also charged girls not to allow themselves to be circumcised, expressing hope that soonest there will be zero circumcision of female children in the State.
The Coordinator Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, Evangelist Chukwuma Elom hinted that FGM is highly prohibited in Ebonyi State, he disclosed that the State was recorded 74.4 percent as the highest prevalence State in the Country in 2016 and lauded Mrs. Umahi whom her dogged efforts has reduce the menace to 54.4 percent presently.
The representative of United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) Mr. Benedict Essong, described FGM as a crime and violation of rights of women, added that residents of the State should make a collective responsibilities to fight the menace to the Stand still.
The Chairperson of the International Federated Women lawyers of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter, Barr. Esther Ajaeroanyigor, the Chairman of Medical Women Association Ebonyi State Chapter, Dr. Ugochukwu Madubueze and a student of King David Gifted Academy, Miss Ikenyi Rejoice, commended Mrs. Umahi for her unrelenting efforts in tackling the issue of FGM in the State.
The exercise attracted a large number of people including Government officials, CSO's clergies, police, students, among others.
It could be recalled that the wife of Ebonyi State Governor Mrs. Rachel Umahi on Monday 7th February, 2022 inaugurated female mutilation mobile court committee to champion the fight against gender base violence and other harmful practices among women and girls in the State.
While inaugurating the committee in her office, old Government house Abakaliki, Umahi represented by her Special Assistant on Welfare Matters, Mrs. Patience Offor Okorie, challenged the committee to speak up against the menace to ensure its total eradication and expressed avowed commitment of her office towards nipping all forms of violence against women and girls in the mud before she bows out of office while encouraging them never to allow her efforts to be truncated but remain diligent to their duty and ensure proper implementation of VAPP law.
The Coordinator of Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, Evangelist Chukwuma Elom and the representative of UNFPA Mr. Benedict Essong, appreciated Mrs. Umahi dogged efforts to end GBV, describing the menace as inhuman activities that should be fought to the stand still.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee, Mrs. Deborah Chinwe Okah, pledged to work assiduously towards actualizing the set objectives.
The Commissioner of Police represented by DCP Regina Udoette, Ebonyi State Chief Judge Justice, Elvis Anegu Ngene represented by Chief Registrar of High Court, Mrs. Stella Ogeoke, Chairperson of FIDA, Barr. Esther Ajaeroanyigor, Chairman Taskforce Team on Gender-Based-Violence, Barr. Faithvin Nwancho and the Bishop of Methodist Church, Abakaliki, Bishop Lawson Elom were among those who witnessed the inauguration.
