By Ragan M. Conteh

The Girl Child Network Sierra Leone in partnership with REAS and KDLK has successfully concluded a comprehensive training program in Makeni, Bombali District.

The training aimed at empowering representatives from various development sectors to combat female genital mutilation (FGM) in Bondo society.

This impactful training, held in the heart of Sierra Leone’s northern region, focused on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), FGM, and menstrual hygiene.

Participants included journalists, church workers, women’s associations, health providers, and FGM monitoring team members.

The sessions provided in-depth insights into the harmful consequences of FGM, particularly highlighting the need to end the practice of cutting a flesh in parts of a woman’s genitals during Bondo initiation. Through interactive training, participants gained essential tools to educate their communities, amplify anti-FGM messaging, and challenge these harmful practices.

By involving influential community members, the program aims to spread awareness across the northern region, encouraging safer and culturally respectful rites of passage.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in the national movement to reduce and ultimately end FGM practices in Sierra Leone.

Supported by Girl Child Network Sierra Leone, REAS, and KDLK, at the training highlight the impact of collective community education and advocacy.

Equipped with new knowledge, participants are now empowered to serve as champions of change in promoting alternative practices that honor cultural values while protecting health and rights of girls and young women across the country.

In her PowerPoint Presentation on Menstrual Hygiene, Madam Anita Koroma, the Country Director of the GCN Sierra Leone opened discussions on menstruation with participants.

She spoke on the challenges and the myths that prevent so many women from reaching their full potentials.

Madam Koroma highlighted the need to have access to sanitary pads (reusable or disposable) that improves women’s physical health and to restore their sense of dignity.

She revealed that using the ‘pieces’ many of the girls often get wounds, rashes and infections.

She informed that having access to sanitary pads will make all the difference as the girls will feel cleaner and fresher.

Madam Aminata Koroma, Secretary of the FAHP Coalition, provided insights into FAHP’s mission as a coalition of over 20 civil society organizations dedicated to eradicating traditional harmful practices and gender-based violence in Sierra Leone.

She emphasized FAHP’s advocacy for zero tolerance towards FGM and its efforts in training religious and traditional leaders to help combat the prevalence of FGM in the country.

She also emphasized FAHP’s commitment to zero tolerance towards FGM, stressing the traumatic nature of the practice and its violation of human rights also underscoring FAHP’s support for FGM-related cases and its focus on education and policy formulation.

Ishmael Cole, Program Director of FAHP, delivered his PowerPoint presentation on Gender and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights.

Participants lauded the organization’s unwavering support and knowledge during the training and promised to cascade the training to their communities.