WOMAN Advised Parents To Desist From Circumcising Their Girl Child

 

The Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network, WOMAN has called on parents and guardians to desist from circumcising  their  female children.

Maintaining that it is  a violation of their rights, it added that it is harmful to their reproductive system.

Raising awareness  in Yenagoa at the weekend on some critical health issues such as prevention of cancer, cholera, female genital mutilation and vaccination, WOMAN  advised parents to take  precautionary measures against these diseases.

 It also  used the opportunity  to sensitize the people on the importance and benefits of vaccination.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director, WOMAN Lady Eunice Nnachi who spoke on the prevention of cholera emphasized the need for regular  hand washing and proper hygiene.

 She said: "Parents and guardians should desist from circumcision of female children. It is a violation of their rights  and  it is harmful to their reproductive system.

" Also, Cholera is a preventable disease. if we can always wash our hands and stop eating food on the streets which could be contaminated, we will prevent it.

" Let us learn to keep our surroundings clean, taking proper care of our children and making sure that we keep our foods closed at all times.

Speaking on the Big Catch up exercise, Secretary of WOMAN, Ebizimo Agedah called on parents to make their children between the ages of 0 to 5years available to receive the vaccines particularly for those who did not complete the routine immunization process adding that the vaccines are free, safe and effective.

On the prevention of cancer, programme manager, ENWAF, Pereowei Asingbi appealed to residents of the community to embrace positive behaviors such as good personal hygiene and regular health checkups to improve their health.

Also speaking, Executive Director, Voice of the Ijaw Girl Child, Mrs Timi Ebiringa Tobi who spoke on Gender Based Violence urged women and girls to always speak out and call for help during any form of physical, sexual or mental abuse.

She equally urged parents and care givers to always listen to their children and protect them from any form of violation.

The Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network, WOMAN is a Nongovernmental Organization with a focus on improving families, community and sustainable development through sensitization, advocacy and mentorship.