Lady branded witch in Ohafia community for rejecting female circumcision

By Uche Ogbonna, Abakaliki

Mrs Okwerenkeya, mother of a 32-year-old lady, Solomon Vivian Uzoamaka, has lamented the ordeal being faced by her daughter for refusing to be subjected to Female Genital Mutilation.

The woman, from Abia State, South-East Nigeria said the elders of Ohafia community, are after her daughter over her refusal to undergo female circumcision.

She said trouble started when Vivian, a graduate of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Ebonyi State, returned home after so many years.

According to her, Vivian who had lived most of her lives outside the community, returned home after her polytechnic education and the elders insisted she must be circumsized.

“We lived in Ebonyi State before returning to Abia, but Vivian didn’t follow us back. She remained with my sister in Ebonyi.

“However, trouble started when she came back after her graduation from higher education.

“The elders insisted that she must be circumsized, which is our culture. I also encouraged her to go through it because that is what will make her a true daughter of our community.

“However, she refused, prompting the elders to tag her a witch. They said if she doesn’t do it, she won’t be allowed to stay in the community. This made her to run away,” the mother lamented.

Although she said her daughter was not a witch, she begged her to return and submit herself to the female circumcision.

“I have told my daughter, Vivian, that she is not above the community’s tradition. We all passed through it; that’s what will make her a real woman of our community.

“Let her come and be circumsized like every other person, it will give her some pride. Her decision is a disgrace to me,” the mother stated.

When contacted through one of her friends, Vivian who said she would never return to the community.

“I will rather die than subject myself to female genital mutilation. It is depravity of womanhood.

“They said I’m now a witch; I feel so traumatised but I will never succumb to that,” she declared.