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By Janet A. Sesay

11 children are still held hostage in a Bondo Shrine in Kambia district, Northern Sierra Leone, FAHP (Forum Against Harmful Practices) says in a report released recently.

FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) has been long-standing harmful practice affecting women and girls in Sierra Leone with initiates sometimes losing their lives.

Laws and policies put in place to protect women and girls have been repeatedly infringed on by the initiators especially in the remote communities.

Established in 2014, FAHP is a coalition of national and international organisations fighting FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and child marriages in Sierra Leone.

The organisation made the claim about the hostage of initiates in a press conference held last Wednesday in Freetown where three FGM-related deaths were confirmed.

Salaymatu Jallo aged 13,  Kadiatu Bangura 17 and Adama Sesay 12 succumbed to death in the hands of the ‘Bondo’ initiators.

The deceased, according to FAHP, was initiated in ‘Bondo’ shrines at Kabylor, Bubuya and Mankneh Villages in Kambia and PortLoko districts.

Rugiatu Neneh Koroma, head of FAHP has condemned the act and called for action against those responsible for the deaths. The FAHP head, an ardent anti-FGM campaigner, has been calling on government to end the ‘Bondo’ practice in Sierra Leone or replace it with ‘bloodless’ initiation.

The deaths are being looked into by the Criminal Investigation Department with three suspects including the ‘Bondo’ head, Barlay Turay in police custody.

The matter was reported on 2nd January, this year at Madina Police Station in Kambia district.

FAHP told journalists that the remains of victims were exhumed and examined by Dr Samba Jalloh of Kambia Government Hospital, and autopsy reports would be released shortly.

The story of a 21-year-old woman from Bonthe district who was forcefully initiated in a ‘Bondo’ bush also came up at the press briefing as the family had been crying for justice.

Looking back at the past, FAHP head said she was one among   thousands of women and girls in Sierra Leone whose dignity was violated through FGM, and urged government and other agencies to place a ban on Bondo activities throughout the country.

“We call on Human Rights Commission, National Council of Paramount Chiefs and the Sowei Council to speak up on the negative effects of the practice. We also demand prosecution for the deaths as we remind government that loss of one  life is a loss to humanity,” she appealed.

She pointed out that health complications and FGM effects are the same regardless of the age of a woman or girl.

By Hassan I. Conteh

A coalition of 26 NGOs has urged government of Sierra Leone to impose an immediate nationwide ban on the practice of Bondo society in the country.

At SLAJ Harry Yasaneh Memorial hall, advocates who are championing a total eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) echoed one voice in a press statement on Wednesday February 21, 2024.

The 26 members of Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) called on respective government’s ministries and the people of Sierra Leone to ensure a speedy justice to be served on the latest deceased of the three female initiates during a Bondo bush ritual in Kambia and Port Loko district January this year.

Madam Rugiatu Neneh-Turay, FAHP’s chairperson says until the cases of the young girls ( ages Salaymatu Jalloh 13; Kadiatu 12, and another 17 ) who suffered an untimely death in the hands of the soweis are treated seriously before they could stop their fight to seek justice for the poor victims.

“The fight against FGM is a fight for all; it is not only social welfare ministry that should be concerned about FGM practice across Sierra Leone; local government ministry , information and civil education ministry, education ministry, health ministry, welfare ministry, gender affairs have a role to  play in this,” says Madam Rugiatu Neneh-Turay.

Adding her view, FAHP’s deputy chair, Hannah F. Yambasu, explains: “FAHP, we’ll never give up; many girls have been tortured and killed in bondo bush, and as we always say enough is enough.

“The girls who have died would have been people taking after us after we would have gone, so we are not celebrating; we are mourning [them],” she said.

FAHP is condemning FGM practice but had earlier brought the Alternative Rite of Passage (Bloodless Rite) as a replacement to the traditional genital cutting of girls and women by the soweis.

FAHP issued Wednesday’s press statement in connection to the death of one Salamatu Jalloh at Kabylor village in Kambia district early January this year. FAHP said, in Kambia and Port Loko districts about five children have died shortly after Salamatu’s tragic death in a bondo bush. And a prominent sowei and a suspect of Jalloh’s death, Mbalay Turay ( bondo principal initiator) was arrested and taken to Madina police station  for an investigation into the cause of the teenager’s death.

FAHP, which was formed in 2014, has made incredible successes in the fight against FGM practice in Sierra Leone.

Its current project to end all forms of harmful practices on girls and women is being sponsored by Ireland’s Irish Aid.

Ishael Cole, FAHP’s program co-ordinator, says they are having Mothers Clubs, School Clubs, Boys Clubs, Women Agents, and have been doing town-hall meetings as strategies to disabuse the minds of people from sending their girls into bondo society.

“I tell you there are lots of resistances among young girls these days who are refusing to be initiated into the bondo society,” says Mr Cole.

The Forum Against Harmful Practices recently celebrated Zero Tolerance Day for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in collaboration with partners Praise Foundation in Moyamba and MOAWOMA in Kenema, emphasizing a collective commitment to eradicating this harmful practice. Observed annually on February 6th, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness and mobilize efforts towards complete elimination by 2030. This year’s theme, “Her Voice. Her Future: Investing in Survivors-Led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation,” underscores the importance of empowering survivors and incorporating their experiences into advocacy efforts against FGM. Thus, the forum’s celebration aligns seamlessly with global initiatives aimed at fostering survivor-led movements.

Despite advancements in reducing FGM prevalence worldwide, significant challenges remain. The United Nations has called for coordinated community engagement to address deeply rooted cultural norms that perpetuate such practices. The complexities surrounding anti-FGM policies necessitate a nuanced approach that considers cultural contexts while tackling ethical dilemmas associated with traditional practices. For instance, while zero-tolerance policies focus on traditional forms of genital cutting, they often overlook other procedures that involve similar tissue removal. This inconsistency raises questions regarding the broader implications of anti-FGM initiatives and highlights the need for comprehensive discussions involving diverse community stakeholders.

In conclusion, the celebration of Zero Tolerance Day for FGM by the Forum Against Harmful Practices represents an important step toward building awareness and fostering collaborative solutions. By prioritizing survivor-led initiatives and addressing cultural complexities surrounding FGM, stakeholders can work together more effectively to combat this harmful tradition and promote gender equity globally.

Research conducted by Owolabi Bjälkander and colleagues sheds light on the severe health complications associated with female genital mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone, a country with one of the highest rates of FGM globally. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 258 women and girls who had undergone FGM, predominantly between the ages of 10 and 14. The findings revealed that an alarming 84.5% of participants experienced complications such as excessive bleeding, delayed or incomplete healing, and tenderness (Owolabi, 2023). These statistics underscore the urgent need for addressing the health ramifications of FGM in this region.

Furthermore, the research indicated that girls subjected to FGM before the age of 10 were particularly vulnerable to serious complications. This demographic is at a heightened risk for immediate health issues like fever and prolonged recovery times. Despite the prevalence of these complications, it was noted that while approximately 85.8% sought treatment, most opted for traditional healers rather than medical professionals. This reliance on non-medical interventions highlights significant gaps in healthcare access and awareness regarding FGM-related health issues (Owolabi, 2023).

The implications of Owolabi’s findings are profound; they point towards an essential need for increased education on the dangers associated with FGM and improved healthcare resources in Sierra Leone. Initiatives aimed at raising awareness about immediate health risks could promote better treatment-seeking behaviors among affected women and girls. Ultimately, addressing these issues is crucial not only for improving individual health outcomes but also for fostering broader societal change regarding harmful cultural practices like FGM.