Hon Yemisi Ayokunle assured the delegation that they have found a worthy ally in her office and promises to work closely with members of the state technical committee on ending female genital mutilation in Ekiti State.
Hon Yemisi Ayokunle (middle) and the UNICEF state partners
The Legislator representing the Ekiti South West 1 at the Ekiti State House of Assembly received the UNICEF state partners working to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation in Ekiti State.
The partners, led by the director of National Orientation Agency, Ekiti State Directorate had other members of the State Technical Committee on FGM.
The delegation which also had the UNICEF consultant on FGM for Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States in company sought the support of the legislator not just as a lawmaker but as a mother and renowned women’s rights activists whose records of work on emancipation of women and protection of child’s rights is notable.
During the visit, Mr Dayo Famosaya (Dir. National Orientation Agency, Ekiti State Directorate) said the FGM prevalence rate of Ekiti State and Ekiti South West in particular is alarming and expressed confidence in the ability of Hon Yemisi Ayokunle to deliver on the mandate of her people to improve their standard of living and general wellbeing.
Mrs Aderonke (UNICEF consultant) decried the current state of the law promulgated in 2002 for the prohibition of FGM as it does not reflect the current realities of the practice which is now regarded as a social norm.
In her response, Hon Yemisi Ayokunle assured the delegation that they have found a worthy ally in her office and promises to work closely with members of the state technical committee on ending female genital mutilation in Ekiti State. She appreciated the efforts of UNICEF, the state government and every agency working to end FGM and urged them to continuously support projects in Ekiti State that will help achieve the global goals.
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