By Ragan M. Conteh

Sierra Leone’s Parliamentary Press Gallery (PPG-SL) has recognized FGM’s activist Rugiatu Neneh Turay for her sharp voice against girls’ women’s rights violations in Sierra Leone.

PPG-SL consists of over forty journalists working for different media houses, including television stations across Sierra Leone,

At the event the Director of Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM-SL), Madam Turay  was recognized for her unwavering commitments in pursuing the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and by seeking to restore women’s and girls’ dignity in Sierra Leone.

The Press Gallery appreciated Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay and her organization for the strides she and her team have made in trying to end all harmful traditional practices against women particularly the practice of FGM society.

She believes that such practices can be done without tampering a part  of a woman genitals.

The Parliamentary Press Gallery is an extended media wing in Parliament in which journalists are mandated to cover the business of Parliament, to evaluate Parliamentary activities and proceedings, and to give accurate information to the public.

The President of the Press Gallery, Feima Sesay expressed appreciation to Madam Turay’s relentless efforts in protecting the rights of women and girls in Sierra Leone.

She pleaded to Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay and her organization for them to extend FGM trainings to the Press Gallery members.

She said media personnel are pivotal in cascading information and awareness raising campaigns to community people on the dangers associated to the harmful traditional practices of FGM.

President Sesay also expressed willingness for the gallery to work with AIM-SL and team to be able to end FGM practices in the country.

Receiving the honor, Madam Rugiatu Neneh Koroma expressed appreciations to the Press Gallery for making her feel proud.

“I now know that there are people who are appreciative of others’ work. This is a very laudable recognition. Local recognition is the most important in any society,” she said.

She dedicated the recognition to AIM-SL and all other organizations like FAPH who have been fighting to end FGM  in Sierra Leone.

She promised to capacitate the press gallery members through FGM sensitive reporting trainings and to form partnership in the end FGM movement.

Hon. Abu SAT Koroma, a former Memeber of Parliament also lauded the press gallery for making him proud as he appreciated the honor given to Madam Turay.

He pleaded to the press gallery members to join the campaign against FGM, adding that “it is a human rights violation.”