Program 04
FGM Awareness
& Prevention
Working with communities to change attitudes, raise awareness, and end Female Genital Mutilation — protecting the rights and health of girls and women.
Working with communities to change attitudes, raise awareness, and end Female Genital Mutilation — protecting the rights and health of girls and women.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that violates the human rights of girls and women, causing severe physical and psychological harm. The COF FGM Project is committed to ending this practice in Oyo State through community education, engagement, and advocacy.
We recognise that lasting change requires working with communities — not against them. Our approach engages traditional leaders, religious figures, mothers, fathers, and young people to collectively abandon FGM.
Through dialogue, education, and support for alternative ceremonies, we help communities transition away from FGM while preserving their cultural identity and dignity.
In five Local Government Areas of Ogbomoso, we identified and trained community champions in Okelerin, Masifa, Saja and Taara communities, and carried out advocacy to community leaders, religious leaders and stakeholders. Trained champions went from household to household explaining the dangers of FGM, supported by town hall meetings and awareness campaigns.
The project ended with the public abandonment of FGM in all four communities and the presentation of certificates to their community leaders.
FGM causes severe bleeding, infections, complications in childbirth, and long-term psychological trauma. It has no health benefits whatsoever.
Champions are equipped with knowledge, communication skills and advocacy techniques to engage their communities on the harm FGM causes.
Leaders receive full information on the health, social and psychological consequences of FGM, and strategies to promote abandonment.
Awareness campaigns, town hall meetings and interactive sessions open honest dialogue about FGM.
Regular assessments in each LGA check that training is changing attitudes and behaviour.
Deep-rooted cultural beliefs and resistance to change persist. We recommend continued engagement, collaboration with local influencers, and cultural sensitivity in advocacy.
FGM violates the rights of girls and women to health, security, and freedom from violence, torture, and discrimination.
The elimination of FGM is a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal. Nigeria is committed to ending it — and COF is on the ground making that happen.
Your support enables our team to reach more communities, educate more families, and protect more girls from this harmful practice.