Wife of Senate President and Chairperson, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, has said that beyond criminalizing female genital mutilation through legislation, Nigerians need to have a change in mentality and a greater understanding of the risks to eliminate the practice completely.

In an article she wrote for Huffington Post to mark UN day for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Mrs. Saraki said that Midwives are the best catalysts that will bring about the necessary change in mentality.

She stressed that the battle against FGM is yet to be won, however, through a combined effort from governments, international organisations, and individuals, the practice can be overturned.

Saraki said; “FGM was criminalized in Nigeria in 2015, signifying a historic step towards outlawing the practice globally... MORE READS AT http://www.vintageinfo.com.ng/2017/02/08/toyin-saraki-we-need-change-in-perception-to-end-female-genital-mutilation/

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Mainstreaming FGM/C in existing school club programmes will help sustain the campaign, it involves analysing how FGM/C impacts a sector and determining how the sector should respond based on its comparative advantage. Also Mainstreaming FGM/C into the education sector will help to shape young people’s attitudes and influence their future behaviour.
Some of the strategies for mainstreaming FGM/C into the education sector include:
1. Inclusion in the Curriculum: By integrating FGM into formal/non-formal education, the topic is less of a taboo and young people can receive accurate information. .
2. Training of teachers: When teachers are trained they can educate young people and also support those at risk of undergoing or have already undergone FGM/C. .
3. Formation of Anti-FGM/C Clubs: This involves training of students and mobilising them to form a Club that focuses solely on FGM/C activities.

4. Partnering with School Clubs: Training the members of existing school clubs, health, press, debate, etc. to integrate FGM/C education into their regular activities .
5. Education sector stakeholders should take the lead on all FGM/C activities in the education sector, including projects implemented by external partners.

6. In Imo State Nigeria, the Young Social media advocates are using Peer Educators Club to tackle #FGM.
To learn more about their success stories, Join Felxfame Omovie Enisire on the UNICEF Nigeria weekly Twitter conference on the topic: “Expanding and sustaining the end FGM/C campaign through existing School Clubs”
Date: Thursday 6thApril, 2017
Time: 5pm to 7pm Nigeria Time
Venue: Twitter Tag: #endcuttinggirls

This conversation will help programme implementers to explore options that will help in the endFGM campaign even as they commence sensitisation campaign in schools and enlighten the public.

Please Use our Social media toolkit to support the campaign during this conversation period.

Together we will end FGM/C in this generation.