Peter Bassey|8 March 2017
The Director General of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) Dr. Betta Edu has condemned in totality female genital mutilation also known as female genital cutting or female circumcision. She made this known today while addressing participants at the 2017 International Women's Day Celebration, describing female genital mutilation as a practice rooted in gender inequality and an evil meted on womanhood.
The event which was organized by CUSO international, YouLead, UNFPA, GPI and Mediatrix Development Foundation had international representatives in attendance. Dr. Edu who represented the wife of the governor Dr. Linda Ayade on this year's event with the theme "Be Bold For Change" congratulated the women and stressed the need for women to rise up against societal stereotype.
She insisted the woman's mind must be emancipated, empowered economically vis-a-viz work diligently to build capacity where ever they find themselves. She further advised women to start small and think big, be bold, speak up and support each other so as to flourish and add value to the society.
Consequently, the DG while encouraging women to remain submissive and faithful to their husbands, asked the men to toe the path of honour as exhibited by His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade in getting women involved, supporting them and giving them a voice, adding that the time for gender inequality is far over, rather this is a time for gender parity.
Peter Bassey
Writes from Calabar
peterenyievi@gmail.com
