As part of the community entry process for the Promoting Rights, Opportunities and Transformative Engagement for Community Accountability and the Elimination of Harmful Practices (PROTECT HER) Project, the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) conducted a stakeholder engagement visit to the Palace of HRH Eze Cyril U. Uzoukwu in Mbubu Amiri Autonomous Community, Oru East LGA, Imo State. The engagement brought together 30 participants and provided an opportunity to introduce the project, engage traditional leadership and build community support for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
The engagement focused on introducing the objectives and planned activities of the PROTECT HER Project to traditional leadership and other relevant community stakeholders. CFHI also facilitated discussions on the harmful effects of FGM and the importance of protecting the health, dignity and rights of adolescent girls and young women.
During the meeting, the CFHI Programme Team highlighted the need for collective community action to address harmful practices and create an enabling environment where girls and young women can make informed decisions about their bodies and exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights. Discussions also explored opportunities to strengthen community ownership and involve existing structures, including youth and women’s groups, in project implementation.
HRH Eze Cyril U. Uzoukwu warmly received the CFHI team and expressed support for the objectives of the PROTECT HER Project. He acknowledged the importance of addressing harmful practices that affect girls and women and committed to supporting efforts to eliminate FGM and advance the rights and wellbeing of girls and young women within the community.
A key outcome of the visit was strengthened engagement with the traditional leadership and the confirmation of a date for a broader Community Stakeholders’ Dialogue.
The engagement represents an important step in building community ownership of the PROTECT HER Project in Mbubu Amiri Autonomous Community. CFHI will continue to work closely with traditional and community leaders to facilitate the planned stakeholders’ dialogue, strengthen relevant community structures, engage young people and promote sustained community-led action towards the elimination of FGM and the advancement of SRHR and bodily autonomy.
Through PROTECT HER, CFHI is working with communities to promote informed choices, strengthen accountability and create safer and more supportive environments where girls and young women can live with dignity and exercise their rights.