A rights-based Civil Society Organization, Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone, on the18th December 2022 joined in the celebration of eight graduates from Bondo, a female secret society, without cutting in Yele Gbonkolenken Chiefdom, Tonkolili District in Northern Sierra Leone.
Addressing women, parents, stakeholders, Soweis and graduates at the Yele Court Barray, the Founder and Country Director of Commit and Act Sierra Leone, Md. Hannah Bockarie expressed thanks and appreciation to the Soweis that committed themselves to abandon the practice of FGM in communities.
She maintained that “My Body, My Right” Project targets 800 girls in Sierra Leone, adding that the project is geared towards empowering vulnerable people, especially girls in Sierra Leone adding how it also works towards ending FGM practice in Sierra Leone and to ensure that Soweis stop the practice of FGM practice and engage in meaningful activities that will earn them their living.
She explained that the eight girls that have graduated from the Bondo without cutting will now serve as ambassadors to influence their peers to accept the rites of passage.
Bockarie also mentioned the health, social and economic implications associated to the FGM practice and urged parents to stop subjecting their girls to a practice that deters their progress.
She maintained that education is key and is beneficial to women and girls, adding that Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone is here to change the perception on traditions and help uplift the status of women in the country.
Hannah Bockarie also pointed out that, the eight successful girls that have graduated from the Bondo without cutting are now full Bondo women and they can now serve as watchdogs in changing the culture of harm to an acceptable culture that protects the lives of women in their various communities.
She expressed thanks and appreciations to the German doctors for sponsoring the “My Body, My Right” Project that has helped change the lives of vulnerable communities in the country.
Hannah Bockarie further stated that the projects have also uplifted the status of Soweis in many communities.
Giving a synopsis of the mandate of Commit and Act, Hannah Bockarie said her organization is working with local healthcare workers and other professionals to aid survivors of violence and help prevent violence.
She reiterated that they treat survivors of domestic and gender-based assault, people struggling with trauma following Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war, and community members facing mental health difficulties.
She said as an organization they provide safe home/shelter for girls who have experienced abuses in different forms, they offer space both to heal from pain and to build fulfilling lives and families.
In his statement during the graduation ceremony, the former Chiefdom Speaker of Yele Chiefdom, David K. Fullah expressed thanks and appreciation to Commit and Act organization for piloting the Bondo without cutting in Gbonkolenken Chiefdom.
He said as chiefs in the community, they are supporting a practice that will help change the status of women and girls, adding that Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone has done tremendous work toward that direction and is currently empowering vulnerable communities in Tonkolili District.
He furthered that through the hard work of Commit and Act Foundation, their communities have started experiencing a sigh of relief.
Chief Fullah expressed thanks to the sponsors, German doctors for sponsoring a project that ensures that the rights of women are upheld.
The Chief Sowei in Gbonkolenken Chiefdom, Sampa Bongo, said as Soweis they are now working with Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone to ensure that they abandon the practice of FGM in their communities.
Sampa Bongo said through the support, advocacy and the awareness-raising by Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone, they have decided to change their mindset on culture that is harmful to women and girls.
She thanked donors of Commit and Act for making their lives safe through empowerment by providing livelihood support through agriculture.
She assured the Director of Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone that they will never go back to the FGM practice that has enormous health and economic implications for women and girls.
The Chief Sowei appealed to the organization and partners to continue with the Bondo without cutting which they are now considering as a perfect life saving tradition.
The eight graduates also expressed thanks and appreciation to Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone and partners for transforming their lives through education and livelihood support.
They assured of being ambassadors and change agents in their various communities.
