By Ragan Conteh

The Executive Director of Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM-SL), Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay, has called on the people of Masimra Chiefdom and its surrounding communities to prioritize education of their daughters.

She asked for them to strengthen partnerships among themselves to be able to combat the challenges women and girls face in doing female genital mutilation (FGM).

Speaking at the commemoration of International Zero Tolerance Day for FGM on February 10, 2025, at Masimera Chiefdom, Port Loko District, Madam Turay made a passionate plea for a collective action.

She emphasized that real change requires dismantling deeply ingrained social and gender norms that hinder girls and women from realizing their full potentials. She said their wellbeing, education, and economic opportunities might be affected if engaged in bondo.

“Our collective actions must create environments where girls and women could exercise their power and enjoy their full rights to health, education, and safety,” Turay stated.

The event, held at Konta Line in Masimra Chiefdom, brought together diverse audience, including teachers, soweis (traditional initiators), students, both cut and uncut girls, chiefs, members of parliament, councilors, and religious leaders organized under the theme “Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.”

“The gathering sought to reinforce the urgency of eradicating this harmful practice,” she said.

The commemoration was supported by Purposeful and PfefferminGreen.

Madam Turay highlighted the significant threat FGM poses to girls’ education. She noted that the physical and psychological trauma associated with the procedure often results in prolonged school absences, particularly in rural communities.

FGM frequently leads to early marriage, further disrupting girls’ educational opportunities as they are forced into domestic roles, she added.

“The stigma and exclusion faced by girls who either undergo or refuse FGM could severely impact their concentration and academic success,” she explained.

“The fight against FGM is intrinsically linked to the broader struggle for gender equality and access to education.”

Turay emphasized the need for coordinated and systematic efforts to eliminate FGM.

She urged teachers, parents, and community leaders to engage in open discussions about human rights, gender equality, and sexual education, thereby ensuring that the needs are being addressed of women and girls who suffer the consequences of FGM.

While acknowledging the progress made in raising awareness and fostering dialogue, Turay expressed concern about lack of national policies and legislation that explicitly addresses FGM.

She called on policymakers to take decisive action, noting that legislative measures are crucial in reinforcing community-based efforts to ending the practice.

AIM-SL has been actively engaged in training teachers, students, and community stakeholders on the health, psychological, and human rights implications of FGM. Turay underscored the importance of these campaigns, thus stating that FGM affects women of all ages and that the risks may increase with age.

Delivering the keynote address, the Director of Native Consortium, Edmond Abu Jr., praised AIM-SL and its leadership for their unwavering commitment to ending FGM.

He shared his personal journey of the movement at a start to being a strong advocate against FGM.

“When Madam Rugiatu Neneh started this campaign, I was one of her critics. I told her that this was a deep-rooted tradition and that she would not make headway,” Abu admitted. “But through her dedication and intelligent approach, she convinced me, and today, I stand tall in the fight to end FGM.”

Abu reiterated that FGM has no health benefits and poses severe risks to girls and women.

He stressed that any practice involving the removal or injury of healthy female genital tissue disrupts the natural functions of the body and can lead to immediate health complications as well as long-term physical, mental, and sexual health consequences.

“FGM is not just a harmful practice; it is a violation of human rights and a public health crisis,” Abu declared. “Regardless of who performs it, the act is unacceptable.”

A representative from the Paramount Chief, Chief Pa Alimamy, expressed gratitude to AIM-SL for their relentless fight against FGM and reaffirmed the community’s willingness to support the movement.

Students from various schools also made personal commitments to advocating for and toward working to ending FGM, while also calling for increased support to sustain these efforts.

The event concluded with a resounding call for collective action, emphasizing that eradicating FGM requires collaboration between grassroots activists, policymakers, educators, and international partners.

Madam Turay said:

“We must continue to support the young to amplify their voices through messages, and to work together to dismantle the barriers FGM imposition on women and girls.

“Together, we can create a world where every girl can thrive, free to learn, and can realize her full potential.”