By Ademola Adebisi,
Ademola Adebisi is an anti-FGM campaigner in Osun state, Nigeria. Here she reports recent media activities which involved inviting youth champions onto her radio show to show how the youth are engaging with ending FGM.
Brief Description of the Project:
On the 16th of June, every year is marked as the International Day of the African Child.
In commemoration of the day, we had a media Advocacy and Sensitization on the theme “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children” a very relevant theme to prioritize at a time the whole world is facing the challenge of Covid-19 and other global challenges.
We discussed at length, the four principles of the convention on the Rights of the Child:
- Non-Discrimination
- Best Interests of the Child
- The right to survival and development
- The views of the child.
Emphases were more on the right of the Girl Child, FGM abandonment, FGM being a violation of human rights, and Rape.
Who we engaged and why?
- Aminat Akande, An FGM Activist, and a Girl Child Right Advocates: Reason: She has been an Activist and an Advocate for the girl child over the years. She’s a strong Advocate fighting to EndFGM in Osun.
- Timilehin Kolawole, A media Expert and a Girl Child Advocate. Reason: Media personality who has engaged the media in standing against all forms of Violence against Women and the Girl Child
- Adenike Adeoye, A social worker, Child Rights Advocate, Reason: She is a strong Advocate for the Protection of the Girl Child. Her presence is very high on media platforms. She’s has been on the field during Covid-19 to help young girls who are victims of Rape, Violence, and survivor of FGM.
- Olusola Kehinde, A student of Baptist Girls High School Osogbo Reason: she is one of our trained FGM champions and a member of our girl’s club at Osogbo Baptist High Schoool
- Okem Christian, A student of Baptist Girls High School Osogbo. Reason: she is one of our trained FGM champions and a member of our girl’s club at Osogbo Baptist High Schoool
The students on the programme made it more emotional for the listener, as they both appeal to parents and families to save the lives of girls and women by totally abandon the archaic tradition of FGM.
The success of the Media Project:
Calls came in from different locations during and after the program.
The calls are the MOVs that people listen to the program, it also shows the impact of the media advocacy program in Osun State.
Strong messages that came out of the Media activity:
- Girls are secretly been cut daily by family members, more work and awareness are needed.
- High-level advocacy messages must be sent to all stakeholders on the impact of FGM on girls and women.
