An educational workshop was held in several LGAs; Ehime Mbano, Njaba, Isu, Ihitte Uboma, Ideato North, Ngor Okpala, Oguta, Isiala Mbano and Ikeduru, respectively on July 29, 2021, to address the concurrent issues regarding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) still in practice.

This seminar was organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, Imo State, alongside Imo State Ministry of Health and UNICEF in order to sensitize the FGM technical committee initially setup to advocate for this cause. Though the VAPP bill was domesticated a couple of days ago, I would like to take this opportunity to say that in order for us to restore our society to a point where our women do not face these unpleasant societal practices, we have a lot of work to do.

The 3R administration of my husband, H.E. Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma has been aimed at bettering the lives and livelihoods of Imolites. Therefore, we would like to thank you all and the organizers of this workshop for the successful collaboration to educate and reorient the various communities in our state for better and healthier practices.

To everyone present at the workshop; Dr. Chris Ugboko, (Head, Gender Adolescent, School health, Elderly Care Division, representing the Federal Minister of Health), Mr. Victor Atuchukwu, (The Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF, Enugu Field Office), Andrew Iheagwam, who represented the (Honorable Commissioner for Health, Imo State, and also the Director of Planning, Research and Logistics), Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoba MNI, (The Imo State Director of National Orientation Agency) (NOA). I say a big thank you for gracing us with your presence and your time.

Our goal is to continue to work towards changing the narrative surrounding the victimization of women and children due to these harmful traditional practices.

#EndFGM #activism #womenempowerment #femalegenitalmutilation #womensupportingwomen #womenrights #stopviolenceagainstwomen

H.E. Barr. Chioma Uzodimma
First Lady, Imo State