A renewed effort to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and improve adolescent reproductive health education has gained momentum in Osun State as a civil society group has trained teachers to serve as key advocates in schools and communities.
The training programme, which brought together educators from selected secondary schools across the state, focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and communication skills needed to address sensitive issues surrounding FGM, gender based violence, and comprehensive sexuality education in a responsible and age appropriate manner.
Organisers of the initiative explained that the goal is to strengthen the capacity of teachers who interact daily with young people, enabling them to provide accurate information, correct harmful misconceptions, and encourage open dialogue on health and safety issues that are often considered culturally sensitive.
Female Genital Mutilation remains a deeply rooted cultural practice in some communities despite ongoing national and international campaigns against it. Health professionals consistently warn that the practice poses severe risks including chronic pain, complications during childbirth, infections, psychological trauma, and in some cases long term reproductive health challenges. It is also widely recognized as a violation of the rights of girls and women.
The training session emphasized the role of education as one of the most effective tools in changing long standing social behaviours. Facilitators noted that schools are strategic environments where young people can be reached early with accurate information that challenges harmful traditions and promotes healthy decision making.
Teachers who participated in the programme were taken through detailed modules covering the medical consequences of FGM, the psychological impact on survivors, and the legal frameworks in Nigeria that prohibit the practice. They were also trained on how to identify students who may be vulnerable or already affected and how to provide appropriate guidance or referrals for support services.
The organisers stressed that sex education, when properly delivered, does not promote early sexual activity but instead empowers students with knowledge about their bodies, personal safety, consent, and responsible behaviour. They explained that misinformation and cultural silence have continued to contribute to the persistence of harmful practices in some communities, making education a critical intervention tool.
Stakeholders at the training highlighted the importance of breaking the silence that often surrounds discussions of reproductive health in many homes and communities. According to them, when young people are denied access to accurate information, they are more likely to rely on myths or peer misinformation, which can increase their vulnerability to harmful practices such as FGM.
The programme also encouraged teachers to adopt interactive teaching methods that allow students to ask questions freely and engage in meaningful discussions without fear of stigma or punishment. Facilitators noted that creating safe classroom environments is essential for effective learning on sensitive health topics.
Osun State has continued to record various interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of FGM, including awareness campaigns, community outreach programmes, and partnerships between government agencies and non governmental organisations. These efforts are designed to strengthen enforcement of existing laws while also changing public attitudes through education and engagement.
Education stakeholders present at the event expressed optimism that empowering teachers will significantly improve the reach and impact of anti FGM campaigns. They noted that teachers often serve as trusted figures in communities and can influence not only students but also parents and guardians through indirect awareness.
Participants at the training pledged to apply the knowledge gained in their respective schools, with commitments to actively promote reproductive health education and discourage harmful cultural practices. Many of them described the programme as timely, especially given the need to address rising concerns about adolescent health awareness.
Experts involved in the initiative reiterated that eliminating FGM requires sustained collaboration among schools, religious leaders, traditional authorities, parents, and policymakers. They stressed that no single institution can successfully tackle the issue alone, and that community based education remains a vital strategy for long term change.
As the programme concluded, organisers called for continued investment in teacher training and public enlightenment campaigns, noting that education remains one of the most powerful tools for protecting the rights and future of girls in Nigeria.
The initiative reflects growing efforts across the country to ensure that young people receive proper health education while harmful cultural practices are systematically challenged and eventually eliminated..
