I’m from New London Community in Makeni, Bombali district. I’m a member of the Anti-FGM Husband’s Club. This club was introduced to us by Girl Child Network with the help of FAHP. We as husbands are here to support our women to put an end to FGM. FGM to our understanding is damaging to our women and girls. But Bondo is good because it is part of our culture and it preserves our good traditions. It supports the Alternative Rite of Passage of women and girls without being cut. We are against the cutting of women and girls but we support the Bondo culture because it is our tradition. The Husband’s Club has a role to play in all of these because if our women and girls are initiated, we will be responsible for the expenditure that comes with it. If we desist from funding this practice, there is no way they will engage in it. That’s why I joined the Husband’s Club to discuss and mobilize with other men to discourage our women and girls from engaging in the practice. If we use these funds to educate our children, it will benefit society as a whole.

I’m a member of the Anti-FGM Mother’s Club. The club has sensitized us with regards to the cutting of women and girls. We are not shying away from the Bondo culture; we are only refraining from the cutting of the clitoris because it is harmful for our wellbeing. FAHP and AIM have brought this message that says “no to FGM”.  When we were initiated, we were unaware of the negative consequences it would have on our wellbeing. God has created us whole, but once were cut we becomes life-threatening to us. Since the message was brought to us, we have also become ambassadors to our fellow women enlightening them to stop the cutting. Most times we fall into debts because we want to fund this practice but mind you the clitoris is meant to help the woman enjoy intimacy with her husband. Once it is removed, she is left in pains.

I’m the councilor elect ward 207 in Kambia. I am a member of the Anti-FGM Husband’s Club in New London Community. We have mobilized to educate our women and girls about the harmful effects FGM has on their wellbeing. It’s not that we are against the Bondo Culture; we are against the removal of the clitoris which is dangerous to the health of the child. One thing I’ve realized is that after cutting the clitoris, I’ve never witnessed it being given to the child’s family. We have no knowledge what they do with it and that is what I’m seriously against. The Bondo is good because it is our culture and it has been in existence before we were born. But we’ve realized that FGM has brought life-threatening issues to our children. I will like to call on the stakeholders of Kambia district to continue spreading this message across communities. We are not trying to violate the law; it is something that will benefit us as families in this society. I’m appealing to the chairman of the council to establish this program in councils so the entire district will benefit from this message.