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Radio conversations suggest Election Campaigns link with End FGM campaign, ways in which Politicians can engage, Nigeria

By Shafaatu Said Karaye,

Gender-based violence has become the talk of the town in different parts of Nigeria and female genital mutilation to be specific has caused lots of pains in the lives of women, hence it is all our duty to fight the act by voicing out our opinion regarding the practice of FGM and most especially the implications of FGM.

Activities:

The 16 days of activism of this year concentrated on how politicians can bring an end to female genital mutilation, most especially using steps and strategies of how to end gender-based violence in their various election campaigns.

There I hosted two different discussion programs that involved a series of personalities that has a say in politics and they include:

  • Barrister hafsat Zeenat Buhari working with the federal high court.
  • The secretary of the Democratic Action Group also known as dispute resolution and development initiative Mr. Abdulbaki Muhammad.
  • Senior special adviser to Kano state governor on corporative groups Mr. Aminu Dagash
  • The woman leader of Dala local government kano state.
  • Dr Auwal Hamza of Aminu Kano teaching hospital kano state.


The program was aired at guarantee Radio 94.7 FM Kano with an estimated reach of over 10 million listeners including neighboring states jigawa, katsina ,Zamfara, and Bauchi states.

And the topic for discussion was how politicians can end FGM and interestingly each of the discussants brought their opinion on how to achieve the said objectives which include:

  • Politicians should be told the harmful effects of FGM on the lives of women.
  • Politicians should talk with survivors so they can tell them their pain.
  • During the electoral campaign, politicians should include ending gender-based violence in their campaign promises.
  • New laws should be enacted such as the VAPP in all the 36 states of the federation.
  • Women politicians to make it mandatory to bring up issues of gender-based violence in their political processes etc

The above are some of the ways politicians can come in to help fight the practice of FGM and other gender-based violence in Nigeria.
Among the listeners were some politicians who later called me to come and brief them about the campaign and how they can be of help.

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Ruth Harley

Ruth Harley is working with GMC as a Website News Editor, compiling stories written by End FGM campaigners working with the Global Media Campaign to End FGM across Africa. Alongside this work, she is running The Women’s Vinyl Project which empowers women and girls through singing and music and is helping to end FGM.