Finally: Nigeria Criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation

 The Nigerian Senate finally followed through and listened to the pleas of the United nation and criminalized Female Genital Mutilation in the country.

The Senate passed a law yesterday which is against prohibit female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices.

The bill also prohibits the abadonement of a spouses, children and other dependants without monetary sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices.

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The Bill was brought to the floor by  Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba and its meant to cancel out violence in private and public life and establish maximum protection and effective remedies for victims of violence, and punishment of offenders.

The bill also prohibits economic abuse, forced isolation and separation from family and friends, substance attack, depriving persons of their liberty, incest, indecent exposure, among others.

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Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided at the session revealed that the bill would give adequate protection for the vulnerable in the country and reprimand those who take advantage of them.

He thanked the Senators and other stakeholders who helped making sure that the bill was passed.

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“The primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and as a responsible arm of government, our primary responsibility is to enact laws that will not only protect our people, but also protect their property.

“Today, we have discharged one of our responsibilities to the vulnerable in terms of violence. Congratulations for this achievement,’’ he said.

The United Nations say that about 140 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM. If current trends continue, about 86 million additional girls worldwide will be subjected to the practice by 2030.

Source: Legit.ng