1. Good evening all and welcome to another edition of the UNICEF Nigeria weekly tweet conference to #endcuttinggirls

 

2. I’m @chukwubueze_n, your co-host for today’s conversation to #endFGM #endcuttinggirls

 

3. Others anchors with me for today’s conference are @mbamonyii (co-host) and @thevisionbuild (host) #endcuttinggirls

 

 

4. Our topic for today is “Working with Parents to End FGM/C and other forms of Violence against Children (VAC)” #endcuttinggirls

 

5. Our Emphasis will be on THE ROLE OF PARENTS AS DUTY BEARERS IN CHILD PROTECTION, AND IDENTIFY THEIR ROLE IN THE CAMPAIGN TO END FGM/C #endcuttinggirls

 

 

6. This conversation will last for 2hours, we will emphasis on the topic for 1hour 45min #endcuttinggirls

 

7. While the rest 15min will be used to take questions related to the topic #endcuttinggirls

 

 

8. We will start entertaining questions from 6:45pm #endcuttinggirls

 

9. I also have my colleagues online, they will retweet and add supporting tweets to the topic as the conversation flows #endcuttinggirls

 

 

10. This conversation will cover FGM/C basic facts, what VAC is all about, parent’s role in child protection. #endcuttinggirls

 

11. Before we move more further, let’s first understand what FGM/C is all about #endcuttinggirls

 

12. FGM/C means Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting #endcuttinggirls

 

 

13. FGM/C and other forms of violence based on cultural beliefs and gender norms are widespread.#endcuttinggirls

 

14. In some settings, cultural traditions include practices which inflict pain and ‘disfigurement’ on children. #endcuttinggirls

 

 

15. The term ‘harmful traditional practices’ has been particularly associated with FGM of girls, #endcuttinggirls

 

16. The term ‘harmful traditional practices’ is most frequently used to refer to FGM/C as it is described in areas where it is practised. #endcuttinggirls

 

 

17. According to a recentUNICEF publication at least 200 million girls and women have experienced FGM/C in 30 countries across three continents #endcuttinggirls

 

18. Girls from very young ages up to their mid or late teens undergo this form of genital excision #endcuttinggirls

 

19. FGM is seen as a protection of virginity, a beautification process, and in a number of cultures is regarded as an essential precondition of marriage. #endcuttinggirls

 

1. The term FGM/C is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. #endcuttinggirls

 

21. There are different forms of FGM, some of which involve more radical excisions in the genital area than others. #endcuttinggirls

 

22. FGM/C comprises all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of … #endcuttinggirls

 

23. … external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. #endcuttinggirls

 

24. FGM/C has 4 types, Clitoridectomy; Excision; Infibulation; & Unclassified (e.g. “pressing” the clitoris with hot water) #endcuttinggirls

 

25. FGM/C has no health benefits, but has immediate & long-term negative effects on the general wellbeing of women. #endcuttinggirls

 

26. The girl’s legs are normally bound from foot to hip, immobilising her for days to enable scar tissue to form. #endcuttinggirls

 

27. This form of the operation is endured by 90–98% of Somali girls, usually at the age of 7 or 8 years. #endcuttinggirls

 

28. Girls and women who have had FGM may have problems that continue through adulthood, including… #endcuttinggirls

 

29. …difficulties urinating or incontinence, frequent or chronic vaginal, pelvic or urinary infections, menstrual problems. #endcuttinggirls

 

30. …kidney damage and possible failure, cysts and abscesses, pain when having sex and Infertility #endcuttinggirls

 

31. At this point lets welcome @mbamonyii #endcuttinggirls

 

32. Thanks @chukwubueze_n for the wonderful session. #endcuttinggirls

 

33. Let’s move to what VAC is all about. #endcuttinggirls.

 

34. VAC which means Violence Against Children #endcuttinggirls

 

35. VAC –This is all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse……. #endcuttinggirls

 

36. neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival….. #endcuttinggirls

 

37. development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. #endcuttinggirls

 

38. Reliable data on violence against children in Nigeria is scarce.. #endcuttinggirls

 

39. This is because violence is often not reported as it occurs mostly within the context where it is regarded as ‘normal’ #endcuttinggirls

 

40. The predominant cultural belief is that children must be submissive to elders…. #endcuttinggirls

 

41. About 3 in 10 adults worldwide believe that physical punishment is necessary to properly raise or educate children. #endcuttinggirls

 

42. Slightly more than 1 in 3 students between the ages of 13 and 15 worldwide experience bullying on a regular basis. #endcuttinggirls

 

43. Around 6 in 10 children between the ages of 2 and 14 worldwide (almost a billion) are subjected to physical punishment by their caregivers on a regular basis. #endcuttinggirls

 

44. Therefore behaviour not in conformity with this is punished. #endcuttinggirls

 

45. VAC can be categorized into 5 sections #endcuttinggirls

 

46.   Self-directed violence: #endcuttinggirls

 

47. Interpersonal violence: #endcuttinggirls

 

48. Collective violence: #endcuttinggirls

 

49. Corporal or physical punishment:  #endcuttinggirls

 

50. Humiliating or Degrading Punishment:  #endcuttinggirls

 

51. Make sure your children know safe places to go when they are scared or need help. #endcuttinggirls

 

 

52. The biggest question now is how can we prevent FGM/C and also VAC.? #endcuttinggirls

 

53. This takes us to the Role of Parent’s in child protection. #endcuttinggirls

 

54. Children are our Nation’s most precious resource. #endcuttinggirls

 

55. As we all know these children lack the skills to protect themselves. #endcuttinggirls

 

56. It is our responsibility, as parents and responsible citizens, to safeguard children and to teach them the skills to be safe. #endcuttinggirls

 

57. As a parent, you should take an active interest in your children and listen to them. #endcuttinggirls

 

58. Parents are the very first agents of social change in a child’s life. Nature has made it so that children learn so much from their parents even while they are still in the womb. #endcuttinggirls

 

59. Parents role as duty bearers involves; #endcuttinggirls

 

60. Ensuring their children are exposed to knowledge of their environment, circumstances surrounding their immediate as well as survival strategies for living. #endcuttinggirls

 

61. Set family safety rules. #endcuttinggirls

 

62. Child protection goes beyond, having a body guard around the child always or restricting the movements, it also involves educating the child with knowledge of several social norms. #endcuttinggirls

 

63. Teach children proper terms for private body parts. #endcuttinggirls

 

64. Educating the child on basic human rights. #endcuttinggirls

 

65. Protecting the child from dangers that will expose her (especially the girl child) to abuse and harmful social norms like FGM/C. #endcuttinggirls

 

66. Children, like all of us, have a right to personal space and can declare who is and is not allowed to enter it. #endcuttinggirls

 

67. At this point lets welcome @thevisionbuild #endcuttinggirls

 

68. Thanks @mbamonyii for the wonderful session. #endcuttinggirls

 

69. The campaign to end FGM/C will never be complete without the place of parents and their roles as duty bearers in their families, communities, work place and religious settings. #endcuttinggirls

 

70. In the family, it is the parent’s role to teach their children the positive and negative value of societal norms, with these the children learn that not every norm is good for the society. #endcuttinggirls

 

 

71. Parents should also protect these children from relatives like the grandmothers, Aunties and Uncles who might insist on the ritual of FGM/C on their children. #endcuttinggirls

 

72. In the communities, Parents are to speak up against norms that they during their own time had gone through and don’t think they will want their girls to go through such. #endcuttinggirls
    

73. understanding that you the health and wellbeing of their children is of utmost importance should influence their decisions about carrying out FGM/C on their children

 

74. Parent’s role it is to also speak up in religious gatherings to educate other parents who might be unaware of the harmful effects of FGM/c o their girl children.

 

75. with this ,so many parents in the community will get enlightened and join in the campaign to #endcuttinggirls

 

76. In their work place as they engage in discussions, it is wise to talk about the dangers associated with FGM/C, this will enlighten their colleagues at work and also help to save children of their colleagues. #endcuttinggirls

 

77. In doing this, they save their girls from FGM/C and accelerate the abandonment of FGMC as a practice. #endcuttinggirls
78. Ensuring their children are exposed to knowledge of their environment, circumstances surrounding their immediate as well as survival strategies for living. #endcuttinggirls
79. Educating the child on basic human rights. #endcuttinggirls
80. Protecting the child from dangers that will expose her (especially the girl child) to abuse and harmful social norms like FGM/C is one role of parents as duty bearers. #endcuttinggirls
81. The campaign to end FGM/C will never be complete without the place of parents and their roles as duty bearers in their families, communities, work place and religious settings. #endcuttinggirls
82. In the family, it is the parent’s role to teach their children the positive and negative value of societal norms, with these the children learn that not every norm is good for the society. #endcuttinggirls
83. Parents should also protect these children from relatives like the grandmothers, Aunties and Uncles who might insist on the ritual of FGM/C on their children. #endcuttinggirls
84. In the communities, Parents are to speak up against norms that they during their own time had gone through and don’t think they will want their girls to go through such. #endcuttinggirls
85. Understanding that you the health and well-being of their children is of utmost importance should influence their decisions about carrying out FGM/C on their children. #endcuttinggirls
86. Parent’s role it is to also speak up in religious gatherings to educate other parents who might be unaware of the harmful effects of FGM/c o their girl children. #endcuttinggirls
87. with this ,so many parents in the community will get enlightened and join in the campaign to #endcuttinggirls
88. In their work place as they engage in discussions, it is wise to talk about the dangers associated with FGM/C, this will enlighten their colleagues at work and also help to save children of their colleagues. #endcuttinggirls
89. And save many more girl children than just their own children. #endcuttinggirls
90. As the Christianity and the Islam does not have any backing for FGM/C parents should use this as basis to convince people in their religious gatherings that FGM/C has no religious backing. #endcuttinggirls
91. In doing this, they save their girls from FGM/C and accelerate the abandonment of FGM/C as a practice in their communities. #endcuttinggirls

Thanks for joining us in today’s conference, we can take questions now. #endcuttinggirls

Together we will end FGM/C in this generation #endcuttinggirls