The scourge, according to the world body, had continued to rear its ugly head due to myriads of socio-cultural beliefs that vary across communities with regional and ethnic variations in prevalence.

UNICEF facilitator in Imo State, Dr. Vitus Ekeocha while conversing at a one-day UNFPA-UNICEF joint program on Elimination of the FGM Accelerating Change” held in the Isu Council Area of the state said that a National Policy and Plan of Action on Elimination of the obnoxious culture in the country (2013-2017), (2020-2024) version is being produced.

Quoting the nation’s demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 and 2018, Ekeocha said that while the trend rose from 32.3% to 63% (2018) in Imo state which was the third-highest in the country, the national figure level jumped from 16.9% to 19.2% in 2018.

Ekeocha challenged religious leaders to play a critical role in the elimination of the FGM and other related abominable practices in their domains.

“Religious leaders are often the vanguards of social changes, promotion of social welfare, and fight for equality, peace, and human dignity. They have the responsibility and mandate to protect and to promote the lives of their followers,” he stated.