FAHP, a leading advocacy group against human abuse and violations, has concluded a National High Profile Dialogue with Stakeholders in Port Loko.

The essence of the dialogue was to underscore a review of the National Strategy for the Reduction of FM/C.

In 2015, the Government of Sierra Leone through the then Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, including UN Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations drafted a National Strategy for the Reduction of FGM/C. The Strategy was set to run for the period of 2016 to 2020.

It was a detailed and comprehensive roadmap of interventions to prevent, reduce and end incidences of FGM/C in Sierra Leone.

The strategy was never approved regardless of the national consultations and validations and engagements with the previous government of Sierra Leone.

Series of engagements were being held recently with the line Ministries of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Public and Political Affairs, Social Welfare, Education, Local Government and Rural Development and Internal Affairs of the current government and political parties to influence the approval of the Strategy but it is still being faced with challenges in getting a way out.

The Strategy was meant to enhance Government’s commitment in the fight against FGM/C in the country.

The engagement had a massive turnout of MPs, Mayors and Paramount Chiefs from various districts.

The engagement was fruitful and stakeholders pledged their allegiance to supporting the approval of the strategy.