What started 10 years ago as a strong campaign to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has now become one of the biggest celebrations of women in Borum Nation. Every year, the festival brings people together to promote peace, unity and community development.
The Borum Women's Anti-FGM Festivity 2026 took place at the Borum Central Square, with women from different villages and clans coming together. Traditional rulers, youth leaders, government officials and other guests also attended the event.
From Campaign to Celebration
Ten years ago, SAIDI NGO began the campaign against FGM by working closely with women leaders, traditional rulers, churches and health workers across Borum.
Speaking during the celebration, the Coordinator of SAIDI NGO said the campaign started with house-to-house awareness, community meetings and the signing of the Borum Anti-FGM Charter in 2016.
"Ten years ago, many people were afraid to speak about FGM. Today, we are celebrating because our women chose good health, education and a better future for our daughters," she said.
Traditional rulers also renewed the Borum Anti-FGM Charter, promising that the harmful practice will never be allowed to return to the community.
More Than Just a Festival
The theme for this year's celebration was "Unity is Our Strength, Peace is Our Path, Progress is Our Promise."
The event featured a peace walk, colourful cultural dances, drama on girl-child education, testimonies from mothers, and a community feast where every clan brought food to share.
According to the Chairlady of the Borum Women Council, the festival has three important goals:
- To remember women and girls who suffered from FGM.
- To renew the community's promise to stop every harmful traditional practice.
- To celebrate the hard work of Borum women in farming, business, raising families and promoting peace.
Bringing Development to Borum
Community leaders said the yearly festival is also helping to attract development to Borum.
Health services, business training for women, farm support and other empowerment programmes were provided through partnerships with Boki Local Government, the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs, SAIDI NGO and other development partners.
They also said the peaceful image of Borum is attracting more support for women's cooperatives, cocoa farming and oil palm production under Project GROW.
Looking Ahead
As drums beat and women danced happily into the evening, community leaders promised that the festival will continue every year as a symbol of unity and hope.
A community elder said, "Borum has shown that a harmful tradition can be replaced with a celebration that protects women and gives hope to future generations. When women are safe, the whole community grows."
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