By Saidu Dumbuya
The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) has condemned the forceful initiation of over 50 underage girls into FGM in the Gbo-kakajama Section, Kenema District, East of Sierra Leone.
FAHP made open condemnation at a press conference held on Monday 19th July, 2025 at the newly constructed SLAJ office in Kenema city.
Reading an excerpt of the Forum’s press release, the Chariperson of FAHP, madam RugiatuNeneh Turay, said the attention of the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) has been drawn to a recent disappointing and frustrating incident in Kenema District concerning report of about 50 girls (over 50 percent below 18 years and the youngest of the age group about was 3 years old) that were subjected to Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C) in a Bondo Bush in the Gbo – Kakajama Section, Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District.
According to her, FAHP strongly condemns this unfortunate event at a time the Government of Sierra Leone is working on an “Age of Consent” on the practice. The action of the organizers of such an alarming magnitude of a practice considered HARMFUL by the World Health Organisation (WHO) breaches the “Convention on the Rights of the Child” and other international human rights obligations including the Maputu Protocol to which Sierra Leone is a signatory.
“Our investigation confirmed that the mass initiation was sponsored by a woman who together with her family are based in the United States of America (USA). Painfully, some of the children CUT and held in the Bondo Bush are school going children. These children missed out their schooling circle, more especially the end of school examination period that is a determinant to the promotion to the next level of education”.
Madam Turay pointed out that FAHP is extremely concerned that these children have been robbed of their bodily autonomy, health and dignity.
Meanwhile, FAHP has worked with other partners including community stakeholders to ensure the safety of the children.
“We call on the Government of Sierra Leone through its respective line ministries including the Ministries of Gender and Children’s Affairs and Education to take concrete steps against the perpetrators and the well-being of the children, we however stand in solidarity with the girls of Gbo – Kakajama section, Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District and all children at risk of FGM/C, reaffirming our commitment to a future where every child can grow up free from violence and discrimination”. She stated
