The Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has called on people to stop female circumcision, especially women.
The partial or complete removal of the external female genital organs for non-medical purposes is known as female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision.
According to data from UNICEF, Nigeria has the third-highest rate of FGM worldwide.
In an interview with NAN, Henshaw, a UNICEF ambassador, criticised the practice.
As the “gatekeepers” of the detrimental habit, she implored women to stop and give other women “a chance to grow.”
Henshaw clarified that “the act is not supported by science and has no medical or moral value attached to it”.
“We need to talk to our gender, women because we are at the forefront of these harmful practices,” she said.
“Women are the gatekeepers to some of the harmful practices, we have some for widowhood too, even domestic violence, child abuse is sometimes perpetrated by women.
“So, we need to be more empathetic, give ourselves a chance, give young girls a chance to grow, to have a life because there’s nothing to be gained from FGM.
“We should always sound the alarm on anything harmful to another human being.”
Recall that, Kate Henshaw recently lost her mother.
President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, issued an official announcement on his Instagram on Saturday, March 2.
The Nigerian movie industry faced a double blow as comic actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, also passed away on the same day.
Rollas shared the heartbreaking news while expressing deep grief for both Henshaw’s mother and Mr. Ibu.
He wrote:
“Sad Day for Actors Guild of Nigeria.
“Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today, and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager for 24 years, Mr Don Single Nwuzor.
“I announce with a deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didn’t make it.
May his soul rest in peace.”