By Magaret Onah
Margaret Onah is an anti-FGM campaigner who is fighting for equality. She believes that teaching men to understand a women’s sexual pleasure is essential. With this knowledge men can realise that cutting women has benefits for both men and women.
The Media Project
The theme for the IWD 2021 was I choose to Challenge- Its women in Leadership; Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world. It celebrates the tremendous efforts of women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
It was time to celebrate women’s achievement.
Margaret Onah
I brought in the Cross River State Commissioner for Local Government Matters Mrs Stella Ekpo,who was formerly in Ministry of Women Affairs and I have worked with her on FGM case and she knows how the State is faring in the drive against FGM.
Also Ms Grace Agaji from Ogoja L.G.A, a 100 level physiology student of University of Calabar, currently Nigeria Carnival Queen- Flex Africa International Ambassador, who pledged to campaign against FGM in the day of her coronation. Zoveena Ronami, and a Youth Advocate on FGM has being a volunteer with Safehaven Development Initiative for one year now.
Success…
The Commissioner knew and kept emphasizing the role of women in leadership and to be given a fair chance to proof themselves at all times. She also spoke on the FGM prevalence in Cross River State which has drastically reduced as a result of several CSOs on ground working tirelessly.
The Youth Advocate and Flex International Queen were able to lay emphases on young people been trained and creating awareness which will result in total abandonment by 2023.
I also spoke on the no health benefits to both males and females and getting men involved to see the part that the clitoris plays in sexual pleasure for both males and females. Sexual pleasure is a fundamental human right for both males and females.
Strong messages that came out of the media project
The Commissioner promised to go to the Women Affairs commission to ensure that the Governor endorses a gender crises centre in each Local Government area and this will help the community members because they face many gender based issues.
Our focus next time..
FGM is done on women and girls to please men. This is violating their sexual and reproductive health rights. Men need to know what is in it for them. I will emphasize that ‘ Sexual Pleasure is a Fundamental right of both males and females and until men can understand the role of the clitoris in sexual pleasure, they will keep violating girls.