VARCE, UNICEF and Osun Government Equip 100 Community-Based Groups to Lead FGM Campaign

Value Re-Orientation for Community Enhancement (VARCE),  has empowered 100 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in a strong push to fight Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

This was made known during an intensive capacity-building workshop, organised by VARCE in partnership with UNICEF and the Osun State Government through the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare, which took place from 30th to 31st May 2025 across Ejigbo, Ede North, Ilesa East, and Ilesa West Local Government Areas (LGAs).


These sessions aimed to strengthen the abilities of CBO members to carry out effective house-to-house campaigns and lead important conversations that support the abolition of FGM in their local communities.

The grassroots programme focuses on community-driven action, using door-to-door sensitisation and reflective dialogue as vital strategies for social change. By providing CBOs with the right skills and knowledge, the project encourages long-term commitment and increases the effectiveness of local initiatives to end FGM.

According to the Programme Officer, Ms Azeezat Oyekola, the workshops are a key part of the wider Movement for Good to End FGM Programme supported by UNICEF. With more facilitators trained, stronger community connections, and improved techniques, VARCE is ready to expand its impact, touching more homes and communities in the struggle to stop FGM.

She explained that the training has deepened collaboration between CBOs and VARCE’s existing network of community facilitators and adolescent girl leaders. Since the training, these CBOs have taken leadership roles—coordinating Girls’ Club activities, running awareness programmes in schools, and mentoring adolescent gender champions to strengthen peer-to-peer advocacy.

She further shared that the community facilitators have already reached 14,000 individuals through reflective dialogue and house-to-house sensitisation. She urged them to stay active, share their stories, tackle community issues, and promote advocacy that respects local culture.

Applauding their dedication, she encouraged them to lead by example, reminding them that every action, no matter how small, helps bring Osun State closer to ending FGM. She stressed the importance of community-led progress and the influence of grassroots voices in erasing harmful traditional practices. She also highlighted the value of using respectful, inclusive, and principle-based methods to change social norms.

During the training, participants were thoroughly taught about the various types of FGM, their damaging health and mental effects, and the legal consequences under the Osun State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2020. The programme also covered life skills like empathy, critical thinking, and communication, to better prepare participants for their role as agents of positive change.

Several participants described the training as eye-opening and motivating, appreciating the real-life examples that showed the long-term harm of FGM and the courage required to confront deeply rooted societal beliefs.