By Ragan M. Conteh

The Forum Against Harmful Practice (FAHP), a local advocacy group against bondo society and on violence against women and girls, has held a dialogue session with line ministries, Members of Parliament and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on the Review of National Strategy draft for the reduction of FGM cases in Sierra Leone.

The successful consultation took place on Wednesday 22 January 2025 at Buxton Church Hall, Charles Street in Freetown.

The National Strategy was developed to address both health, social and economic risks associated with Bondo society practice on girls and on women as well as its effects on society.

The document serves as a tool for informed advocacy and cultural awareness against the practice of Bondo society and other related health aspects.

In other to foster successful consultations among relevant line ministries, policymakers and CSOs, FAHP aims to create a comprehensive framework that prioritises education and awareness raising campaigns and to promote the “new cultural contexts” of bondo society.

Given the context of FGM in Sierra Leone, FAHP Ag. National Coordinator, Ishmael Cole said female genital mutilation (FGM) is a practice that involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

Cole said FGM refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external  female genitalia or other injury the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

He said the practice is deeply entrenched as a social and cultural norm in many places.

Coordinator Cole revealed the practice can cause short- and long-term health complications, including chronic pain, infections, increased risks of HIV transmissions, anxieties and depressions, birth complications, infertilities and, in worst cases, will lead to deaths.

Cole said FGM is internationally recognized as an extreme violation of the rights of women and girls.

In Sierra Leone, according to Mr Cole, the 2019 Demographic Health Survey, 83 percent of women age 15-49 have undergone FGM, with a total decrease of 90 percent in 2013.

He said female circumcision occurs mostly between age 10 and age 14; 71 percent of women age 15-49 had FGM before the age of 15.

He said among women who have heard of FGM, 48 percent believes that it is not a requirement of their religion and 34 percent believe that FGM should not be continued.

He pointed out that the prevalence of FGM in Sierra Leone increases by age.

He revealed that sixty-one percent of women age 15-19 have undergone FGM (bondo society) as compared to 95 percent of women aged 45-49.

Eighty-seven percent of Muslim women  are more likely to have undergone FGM compared to 69 percent of Christian women.

He stated that the percentage of women who have undergone FGM is higher in rural areas than in urban areas (89 percent and 76 percent, respectively).

The prevalence of FGM is high in the North-West province than other regions with (93 percent) and is low in the Southern province (74 percent).

By district, the prevalence of FGM is high in Karene (98 percent) and low in Bo (65 percent).

In her PowerPoint presentation, the Director of gender

In the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs, Madam Goodie Sowonie spoke on the National Strategy for the reduction of FGM.

Given the reasons for the national strategy, she said the strategy focuses on a coherent FGC method for abandonment to have a clear vision and approach on how to reduce FGM.

The strategy, according to her, will bring together government, civil society and development partners to fight off FGM or minimize it.

The strategy enhances coordination, accountability and implementation of evidence based interventions for FGM reduction.

She said the vision of the strategy is to ensure that Sierra Leone is free from FGM, stating that the goal is to reduce the prevalence of FGM by 20%.

The Chairperson of FAHP, Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay, who led the discussion and action point on the National FGM Reduction Strategy said the focus of the strategy is meant to open up a wider awareness raising campaign on the reduction of FGM practice in communities.

Turay said Sierra Leone remains the highest infant mortality rate country in the world.

Rugiatu Turay said because there are no specific laws against FGM in Sierra Leone (apart from the Child Rights Act which is sometimes invoked), and as FAHP education is therefore key to changing mindsets.

She stated that education helps women build their self-esteem to challenge issues and to question old traditions.

With education, girls will have the opportunity to make informed decisions.

She revealed that men need to change their perceptions about uncut girls and culture, adding that they need to be engaged so that they can accept their girls, sisters, to grow healthy.

In most cases, she said women put pressure to have their daughters cut because they believe it’s the only way their children will find a husband.

She pointed out that FGM is seen as a way to satisfy the desire of men.