The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Egbu has assured the Imo State Government of its preparedness to partner with it in it’s campaign to eradicate the unwholesome practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
This disclosure was made by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya Okoroafor, during a courtesy call by officials of the Imo State Orientation Agency, led by its Director General, Dr. Ethelbert Okere.
Bishop Okoroafor decried the persistence of harmful traditional practices including Female Genital Mutilation, describing them as relics of ignorance. He regretted that women, who are often the victims of FGM, also play significant roles in initiating and sustaining this custom. The bishop further commended the recognition and liberation the Church has generally accorded the women, noting that such acknowledgment empowers them against practices that undermine their dignity. He added that the forthcoming 2025 Women’s Conference of the Diocese would provide a crucial platform to further educate women on the dangers of FGM. He assured the agency of the Church’s unwavering support in combating the practice and other retrogressive traditions.
Earlier, Dr. Okere highlighted the agency’s ongoing grassroots campaign against FGM, lamenting that despite years of advocacy, the World Health Organization had recently ranked Imo State highest in prevalence across the South East. He stressed that the Church, as the largest community platform, remains strategic in the fight and sought the bishop’s approval for parish priests to collaborate with the agency in sensitizing worshippers across the diocese, a request which the prelate warmly welcomed.
Present during the visit were the Vicar of the Cathedral, Ven. Anthony Akanwa, and the Chaplain, Rev. Emmanuel Oparandu.
