The Kwara government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), warning that perpetrators will face prosecution under existing laws.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Opeyemi Afolashade, stated this at a community engagement town hall meeting held on Tuesday in Ilorin to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

Afolashade said the state would continue to collaborate with traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners to promote positive cultural values.

The meeting was themed: "Towards 2030: No End to Female Genital Mutilation Without Sustained Commitment and Investment."

She noted that the theme underscores the need for sustained political will, strong community engagement, and continuous investment by governments, civil society, development partners, and communities to eliminate FGM.

"The global community has committed to eliminating this harmful practice by 2030, but achieving this goal requires collective action and stronger alliances.

"FGM remains a serious violation of the fundamental human rights of women and girls.

"According to global reports, more than 230 million women and girls alive today have undergone FGM, and millions more remain at risk every year.

"It is estimated that about 4.5 million girls could be at risk of FGM in 2026 alone if urgent action is not taken," she said.

The commissioner stressed that FGM has no medical benefit but exposes victims to severe physical and psychological complications, including infections, childbirth complications, trauma, and, in some cases, death.

She added that the practice deprives girls of their dignity, bodily autonomy, and fundamental human rights.

Afolashade also highlighted existing legal frameworks protecting women and children from harmful practices, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

She said the VAPP law criminalises various forms of violence, including harmful traditional practices that violate the rights and dignity of women and girls.

"Similarly, the Child Rights Law, domesticated in the state in line with the National Child Rights Act, guarantees every child the right to dignity, protection, and freedom from abuse, neglect, and harmful cultural practices.

"It must be clearly stated that FGM is illegal under these laws.

"Any individual who performs, aids, abets, or facilitates FGM commits an offence and may face prosecution, fines, or imprisonment as stipulated by law," she said.

The commissioner commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his wife, Olufolake, for their commitment to protecting women and children from all forms of violence and harmful practices.

Also speaking, Dr Gloria Enueze, Team Lead and Sexual Reproductive Health Specialist, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said FGM remains a persistent challenge.

Enueze noted that inequality remains deeply rooted and called for increased investment in girl-child education and awareness amongst women.

"We must confront this reality by investing in girl-child education and educating mothers and women about the dangers of FGM, empowering them to reject and resist such practices.

"Let us move from awareness to actionable commitments, engagement, and consistent enforcement," she said.

In his remarks, the Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba Abdulrazaq Adegboyega, emphasised the need for sustained sensitisation on the dangers of FGM.

Oba Adegboyega commended the state government and the Ministry of Women Affairs for their continued advocacy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the inauguration of a task force against FGM.

Members of the task force include representatives of persons living with disabilities, women's organisations, the Children's Parliament, traditional rulers, the Police, FRSC, NSCDC, as well as civil society organisations and NGOs.

(NAN)