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 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.