Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Dr Nonye Soludo, the First Lady of Anambra State and founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, has issued a strong call to end female genital mutilation (FGM), describing the harmful cultural practice as “barbaric” and a profound violation of the rights and dignity of girls and women. Her statement was released on Friday, February 6, 2026, in observance of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, a United Nations-recognised annual campaign aimed at accelerating global efforts to eliminate the procedure.
In her address, Dr Soludo emphasised that there is nothing culturally or morally justifiable in subjecting a girl child to what she called a “lifetime of pain and agony” through genital cutting. She underscored the practice’s damaging physical, psychological and emotional consequences, and highlighted the need for sustained advocacy, education and empowerment of girls and women as critical elements in eradicating the practice.
Female genital mutilation remains a significant global human rights and health issue. According to United Nations agencies, an estimated 4.5 million girls could be at risk of FGM in 2026 alone, with more than 230 million girls and women worldwide already living with its consequences. FGM is internationally recognised as a violation of human rights that infringes on the fundamental rights to health, physical integrity and dignity.
Dr Soludo’s appeal comes against this broader backdrop of international concern and regional advocacy to end the practice by 2030, a target set by the Sustainable Development Goals initiative. She echoed calls by global leaders and rights bodies for accelerated action to protect girls from harm and ensure their access to education, health services and legal protections.
In her statement, the Anambra First Lady stressed that education is a powerful tool for empowerment and societal transformation. She argued that communities must be mobilised to shift harmful norms and to support girls and women in claiming their rights to health, safety and full participation in society. Her remarks reflected ongoing efforts by civil society and state actors to amplify awareness and combat entrenched beliefs that sustain FGM.
Nigeria, like many countries where FGM has been historically practised, has a complex legal and cultural landscape surrounding the issue. National statutes, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and child protection laws, criminalise harmful traditional practices such as FGM, but enforcement and community engagement remain persistent challenges. Advocacy groups and rights commissions routinely call for stronger implementation of these laws and greater collaboration with local leaders to protect vulnerable girls and women.
Dr Soludo’s call also aligns with regional advocacy in other parts of Nigeria, where stakeholders and civil society organisations are pushing for sustained investment and policy attention to end FGM. In states such as Oyo, public figures have highlighted the need for stronger legislation, awareness campaigns and community-level action to protect girls and support survivors. Experts warn that without intensified efforts and resources, progress towards eliminating FGM could stall or even reverse, particularly in areas where traditional support for the practice persists.
The First Lady’s remarks made clear that the harmful practice is not only a violation of bodily rights but also a barrier to education, economic opportunity and broader development outcomes. She urged concerted action from government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, educators and families to challenge the social norms that perpetuate FGM and to prioritise the wellbeing of girls at every level of society.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, observed each year on February 6, seeks to strengthen global resolve against FGM and to support survivors. The United Nations and other international partners have repeatedly called for accelerated efforts to prevent the practice, provide care for survivors and promote legal frameworks that protect girls and women from such abuses.
Soludo’s advocacy underscores rising public leadership on women’s rights issues within Nigeria’s states and amplifies national efforts to meet global commitments on gender equality and the protection of children. It also reflects a growing recognition among policymakers and civil society of the need to address deeply rooted cultural traditions that inflict long-term harm on half of the population.
Her statement concluded with a renewed appeal for unified action at all levels of Nigerian society, stressing that eradication of FGM is not only a legal imperative, but also a moral and developmental necessity if the country is to safeguard the futures of its girls and women.
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