By Africa 24 newsman
The recent developments regarding violence against women in Sierra Leone are very shocking.
In less than two weeks when the former Freetown City Council (FCC) woman was killed by his boyfriend, another devastating and brutal assault of a lecturer has also been reported of in Karene District.
A police officer has also been allegedly and brutally beaten up by her lover.
According to news, the said police officer would commit the act has been arrested.
Antiviolence against women organizations have been reportedly frowning due the heightening spate of violence against women in Sierra Leone.
“If a police officer can act brutally against a woman, what will be the future of women. Where do women report their dismay to. Is government looking at these violence but choose to remain silent about it,” an FGM and women’s rights advocate, Rugiatu Neneh Lebbie, asked a question when speaking through an interview to this medium.
She is one of the strongest women campaigners in Sierra Leone.
Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay has recently told the people of Bonthe District that, the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the retrogressive and violent acts meted on against women and girls in the country.
She talked during a workshop organised on the Alternative Rite Passage on the issue.
She said the violence against women and children does not stop only at homes but also exceeds to cultural practice, Bondo society in Sierra Leone.
She also said that a girl was brutally killed in Bonthe District and no justice has been dispense since the teenager saw her demise.
She talked of the two girls who were killed in Kambia District in the name of society.
Madam Turay continued that, in Makeni a girl was, also killed in the Bondo bush and that nothing ever comes of that.
“The number of unreported deaths in the name of culture is plenty. FGM is not a respecter of women. The only solution is to end FGM practice,” she said.
Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay has called for robust community engagement to stop the rampant violence against women in communities across Sierra Leone.
She said rural communities are more vulnerable to violence against women.
Mr Ishmael Cole, Programme Manager, Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), expressed the organization’s dedication to ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone.
Mr Cole said, “We must not forget that two young girls died, their lives were taken in a very brutal manner in the Bondo bush in Kambia District.”
He regarded the bondo cases in Kambia as a crucial step to start with towards ending FGM practice.
He expressed gratitude r to the many victims and survivors of FGM whose voices have been heard “today for the first time.”
Women in the Media Sierra Leone, a local organization, have also expressed disappointment and outrage following the brutal assault on 19 years-old-Isata S. Conteh of Sella Limba Chiefdom in Karene District.
The attack was allegedly carried out by police officer Constable 16023 Alhassan Tejan Kamara, an officer attached to Kamakwie police division.
WIMSAL has urged the authorities to ensure that the investigation is conducted transparently and that the officer involved should face the full extent of the law.