SOS On Female Genital Mutilation In Edo

In a distressing revelation from Etsako West local government area of Edo State, Nigeria, a community practice involving Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has come to light, shedding a harsh spotlight on the physical and emotional toll it inflicts on victims and their families. Reverend Father Francis, a local clergyman, stepped forward as the narrator of this troubling account, urging an end to this barbaric tradition.

The victim, Mr. Joseph Dako, hails from Iyatsebi quarters of Irekpai village. His family’s painful experience with FGM became tragically evident when their first daughter died from the harmful effects of the practice. Now, the community, adhering to a deeply ingrained norm, is pressuring the Dako family to subject their second child, Joseph Zoe Onotse, to the same dangerous ritual.

Female Genital Mutilation is a practice that has persisted for generations in certain communities, often causing severe health complications and even death. In Irekpai village, it is considered customary for female children to undergo circumcision at the tender age of three. Non-compliance with this tradition, as seen in the Dako family’s case, carries the harsh penalty of excommunication from the community.

Mr. Joseph Dako, fearing for the life and well-being of his surviving daughter, has taken the drastic step of fleeing for their safety. The psychological trauma inflicted upon the family is palpable, and the consequences of refusing to conform to this harmful practice have left them ostracized.

Rev. Father Francis, deeply moved by the Dako family’s plight, has taken it upon himself to bring their story to the attention of the public. He emphasizes the urgent need for awareness, education, and intervention to break the chains of tradition that perpetuate such harmful practices.

In addition to narrating the family’s ordeal to the press, Rev. Father Francis has extended support to the Dako family in various ways, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding during these challenging times. Rev. Father Francis is a missionary with assigned to the local community in Etsako West, Edo State.

The Dako family’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against harmful cultural practices, and the collective responsibility to safeguard the rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of gender.