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.

I’m from Moyamba and a member of the Anti-FGM Mother’s Club. They have educated us about the harmful effects of FGM and we are now raising awareness among our fellow Soweis to discourage the FGM practice. The Bondo Society is where we bond as women and also train our daughters to do domestic chores, sing, dance and take care of their marital home. A big thank you to Moyamba district for abandoning the practice. FGM has had a negative impact on our girls ’wellbeing. The Bondo has been a place where we resolve issues as women. When our girls are married off young, there are things they do not know about motherhood. When we force our daughters into early marriage, they end up suffering in the home because it is not of their free will. It depresses them to the point of death. We thank Grace Foundation for educating and sensitizing us.

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.