C‑HEALTH has strengthened the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by sensitizing over 1,000 young people during a school outreach held to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM. Focused on the theme “Accelerating Action: Youth Can Lead Us to End FGM by 2030,” the outreach empowered adolescents with accurate information about FGM and mobilized them as key agents of community change.
The sensitization took place in Ubomiri Girls Secondary School and Orodo Technical Secondary School in Imo State, where C‑HEALTH educated students on the meaning of FGM, the different types identified by the World Health Organization, and the lifelong health risks associated with the practice. Students learned that FGM has no medical benefit, exposes girls to serious physical and psychological harm, and remains a clear violation of human rights. The outreach also highlighted Nigeria’s legal stance on FGM, including penalties under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, ensuring students understood the law and their rights.
A major emphasis of the event was youth empowerment, recognizing that young people play a critical role in ending FGM across communities in Nigeria. Students were encouraged to challenge harmful cultural beliefs, speak up against FGM, report suspected cases, support peers with accurate information, and advocate for safer, healthier futures for girls. This approach aligns with global strategies that position young people as the driving force behind ending harmful practices by 2030.
By the end of the outreach, many students demonstrated increased awareness, confidence, and readiness to advocate against FGM within their households and communities. The program successfully deepened understanding, corrected misinformation, and strengthened youth-led advocacy efforts aimed at eliminating FGM in Nigeria.
C‑HEALTH reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing FGM awareness campaigns, community engagement, and youth empowerment programs that support the global goal of achieving zero FGM by 2030. With continued education and community mobilization, the organization believes young people will play a decisive role in ending FGM and protecting the health and rights of girls throughout Nigeria.