By Amin Kef Sesay
Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), on 16th and 17th July, 2021, ended a workshop with teachers and lecturers at the Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema. The event took place at the Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Hall, on the topic: Stop Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and its Dangers.
Dilating on the topic, Chairperson of the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), Rugiatu Neneh Turay Koroma, said: “We have ended a workshop with teachers and lecturers at the Eastern Polytechnic. We held frank discussions and we are ready to move the fight forward.”
She maintained that separating FGM from Bondo and strengthening women to do the right thing will continue, adding that no district will be left out. She informed her audience that “we believe that, should girls continue to watch harmful videos, they will absolutely go against the myopic FGM thoughts of their parents.”
According to the Chairperson of the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), Rugiatu Neneh Turay Koroma, in February 2003, four First Ladies in Africa came together and declared an International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). She revealed that these brave women, led by the Late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, knew that by targeting and holding back women and girls, from this harmful practice, they would be doing the same for whole communities and nations.
“Eighteen years ago, countless others from all over the world, including Sierra Leone, joined these women to say that FGM/C has no place in any community and that it undermines the efforts to celebrate and empower women and girls,” she said, furthering that Sierra Leone is still one of the few countries that has not enacted any act to abandon FGM.
She lamented however: “Sadly, we are also one of the countries with high prevalence, even though recent surveys state that it is gradually reducing,” She maintained that as of now, the country stands at 83%, stating that supporters of FGM/C are with the view that FGM is a rite of passage–something families do to help prepare girls for adulthood or marriage.
The Chairperson said that as a coalition of organizations working on ending FGM, they are of a contrary view, as they believe that there is no reason why young girls and women should suffer removal of a healthy and active organ just because it is considered as a tradition.
She argued that FGM practice is dangerous and harmful, which makes it wrong, wherever it occurs. Madam Rugiatu said it is on that strong foundation that the Forum Against Harmful practices (FAHP) was formed. She added that the coalition has a membership of fifteen (15) organizations working to eliminate FGM/C within the ‘Bondo’ society and speaking with one voice. She made known that the FAHP has implemented a range of activities and actions nationwide to stop the practice.
“In the North West region, we have organized the first alternative rites of passage. This means that women and girls can go through ‘Bondo’ society without cutting their clitoris,” she informed, stating that they have worked with religious leaders, schools, cutters and community-based organizations to raise awareness—especially, and have organized a public declaration with over 60 FGM cutters dropping their knives and razors.
The Chairperson added that even though they have challenges in the South and Eastern regions, they are confident that those challenges will be surmounted, maintaining that since the establishment of FAHP in June 2014, they have been advocating and lobbying for the reduction of harmful practices including FGM, and above all, for policy and legislative change towards eliminating FGM.
“Presently, we are implementing a project titled: Strengthening FAHP for the coordination of FGM/C reduction in Sierra Leone- Influencing Zero Tolerance funded by Irish Aid,” she said.
According to her, the project is in line with Sierra Leone’s commitments under the various international protocols and conventions; including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
She highlighted how the project addresses problems related to the high incidents of FGM in Sierra Leone, enhancing the capacity of the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) to coordinate FGM/C interventions and address the absence of an approved national policy or legislation to guide the reduction of FGM/C in Sierra Leone.
“Recently, we visited the different political parties in their various party offices to discuss and seek for support from their parliamentary representatives,” she revealed, disclosing that the responses from the various Executives of the political parties e.g. NGC, APC, PMDC, C4C, Unity Party, ADP, UDM, RUFP, were positive, except for the SLPP, whose Chairman and Secretary failed to either acknowledge their letter or respond to the numerous text messages and phone calls.
She stated that two weeks ago they saw a video making the rounds on social media with a female Member of Parliament representing one of the constituencies from Moyamba District from the SLPP party, inciting Soweis and promoting, not only the continuation, but also how FGM should be sustained.
She underscored that they consider such action unfortunate from a legislator who is expected to protect women and girls rights, irrespective of her personal belief.
Madam Rugiatu stated that they are using this platform to call out to all politicians, who still believe that they can continue to win the votes of women by supporting the cutting of the clitoris of women and girls to stop now.
“On today’s date, we stand with communities here and around the globe working to prevent FGM/C,” and registered their commitment, adding that they are calling on girls and their families, INGOS, human Rights activists, the media, teachers, health workers, the forces, religious leaders, Paramount chiefs, Members of Parliament and Government officials to act together to make a difference.
The Chairperson noted that there is no better time to put an end to the harmful practice, and to allow women and girls everywhere to meet their full potential without FGM, than now.
“Therefore, I want to end my statement with the saying, FGM cannot be justified as a cultural or traditional practice – it is a crime and a violation of human rights,” she reiterated, adding that many people and communities are abandoning it.
Madam Rugiatu said that at FAHP, they believe change is possible, and it is happening, underscoring that Sierra Leone must be part of the clarion call to end FGM.
