By Audrey Raymonda John
The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) has ended a comprehensive national media workshop aimed at sensitizing journalists on reporting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with care and accuracy.
The workshop, held on Friday, May 10th, 2024, at Hotel 5-10 in Freetown targeted print and electronic media practitioners.
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.
Madam Koroma highlighted the importance of media training in ensuring accurate and sensitive reporting on FGM noting that it would equip journalists with the necessary skills for effective advocacy.
Ishmael Cole, Program Director of FAHP, commended the coalition’s advocacy efforts in combating FGM further outlining various initiatives undertaken, including engagement with stakeholders to change mindsets, establishment of support clubs and advocacy for policy changes.
He 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.
Kelvin Lamdo, the workshop facilitator, delivered a presentation on mainstreaming FGM as sexual and gender-based violence in the mass media. He urged journalists to verify information with the appropriate authorities and align their reporting with FAHP’s advocacy timelines.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between FAHP and the media in promoting and protecting FAHP’s image further highlighting the need for dedicated reporting on reproductive FGM and sexual and gender-based violence.
Participants expressed their commitment to zero tolerance towards FGM and pledged to continue advocating against the practice through their respective media platforms.
