Ouagadougou: The minister in charge of gender and family, Nandy Somé/Diallo, on Friday called on all actors involved in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) in Burkina Faso ‘to be vigilant and the mobilization of communities”, “with a view to continuing preventive denunciations of cases of excision”, “degrading practice for little girls and women”.
‘I call on the vigilance and mobilization of communities, all state and non-state actors, young people and especially survivors, with a view to continuing preventive denunciations of cases of excision and above all accelerating the process. adoption of social standards favorable to ‘Non-Excision’, indicated the minister in charge of gender and family, Nandy Somé/Diallo.
For Ms. Somé, the eradication of FGM in Burkina Faso will provide an environment that is more protective of the rights of little girls and women, ensuring them good health and guaranteeing their physical integrity.
The Minister of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action, National Reconciliat
ion, Gender and Family, Nandy Somé/Diallo sent a message on Friday on the occasion of the national day of fight against the practice of excision , published by the daily Sidwaya.
Every May 18, Burkina Faso commemorates the national day to combat the practice of excision. This day was established in June 2001 in Burkina Faso.
The theme chosen for this 24th is: ‘Contribution of survivors in promoting the elimination of FGM in a context of security challenge’.
For the minister, this theme ‘puts survivors and their associative structures at the heart of the action’.
According to her, this theme ‘calls on them, through the movements they lead, to contribute strongly to changing social norms in favor of the elimination of this degrading practice for little girls and women.’
For her, this year’s commemoration “offers the opportunity to reaffirm the national political will to fight against this scourge and to accentuate prevention actions through information and awareness activities aimed at populations in order
to maintain the country in its leading position in the fight against FGM despite the difficult security and humanitarian contexts.’
She expressed the government’s recognition to the various actors for “their tireless efforts in the fight for the elimination of FGM in our country and in Africa.”
As a reminder, according to the 2021 demographic and health survey (EDS), FGM affects 56% of women aged 15 to 49 and 9% of girls aged 0 to 14 and all regions are affected, to varying degrees with persistence in areas with security challenges.
Source: Burkina Information Agency