Page 8 - Inside Access May 2nd Edition

SUSTAINABILITY CORNER
Access Bank joins
the fight against
FGM
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), is a harmful practice and has negatively affected over 20 million girls and women in Nigeria today. It involves the violation of rights of children and violation of a person's right to health, security, and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment. This practice is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and perceptions over decades and generations with no easy path to change. FGM which leads to diverse effects that place females at risk of infection, maternal complications and death.
Much effort is being exerted to ensure that women and girls are protected from this harmful practice but there is still much more to be done as the COVID- 19 pandemic lockdown measures has placed more girls at risk of FGM. More lives are daily placed at risk of health complications due to this harmful tradition.
Therefore, there is a need to advocate against this harmful practice by educating community members on FGM and improving the capacity of existing structures put in place to protect women and girls.
Every year the 6th of February, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) aims to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this harmful practice. This year the theme “No time for global inaction: Unite, Fund and Act to end FGM,” seeks to strengthen the collaboration between key stakeholders to adequately leverage resources, enhance program impact and expand global and national advocacy campaign towards ending Female Genital Mutilation.
In commemoration, of this year's Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, Access Bank
partnered with HACEY Health Initiative to hold a series of intervention across 4 states with high prevalence of FGM in Nigeria. Firstly, we organised a conference to enable key stakeholders share their learnings and way forward on the fight against FGM/C in Nigeria, with over 100 participants consisting of NGOs, State Officials, Academicians, Media officers, community representatives, law enforcement officers, and students, in attendance. The key outcome of the conference was the call to action that covered key recommendations developed from the presentations by the speakers and created a clear pathway for all stakeholders to
PAGE 8 INSIDE ACCESS | MAY 2021 2ND EDITION