By Saidu Dumbuya
The Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery (PPG-SL), comprising over forty journalists from various print and electronic media houses across the country, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, honored the Executive Director of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM-SL), Madam RugiatuNenehTuray.
The event was held in recognition of Madam Turay’s unwavering dedication to the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and her tireless efforts in restoring the dignity and rights of women and girls in Sierra Leone.
The Press Gallery commended Madam Turay and her organization for the remarkable strides they have made in challenging harmful traditional practices, particularly FGM, and for advocating that cultural practices can be preserved without causing harm to women and girls.
As the extended media arm of Parliament, the Parliamentary Press Gallery is tasked with covering parliamentary proceedings, evaluating legislative activities, and disseminating accurate information to the public.
Presenting the award, President of the Press Gallery, FeimaSesay, applauded Madam Turay’s relentless efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls in Sierra Leone. She also urged AIM-SL to extend its FGM-related training programs to Press Gallery members, highlighting the important role journalists play in raising awareness about the dangers of harmful traditional practices.
President Sesay further expressed the Gallery’s readiness to collaborate with AIM-SL in advancing the movement to end FGM in the country.
In her acceptance speech, Madam RugiatuNenehTuray expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Press Gallery, stating, “I now know that there are people who value the work of others. This is a truly laudable recognition. Local recognition is the most important in any society,” she said.
She dedicated the award to AIM-SL and all organizations working to end FGM in Sierra Leone, especially the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP). She also pledged to empower members of the Press Gallery through training on FGM-sensitive reporting and to establish a strong partnership in the nationwide movement to eradicate FGM.
Former Member of Parliament, Hon. Abu SAT Koroma, also praised the Press Gallery for honoring Madam Turay. He called on journalists to join the campaign against FGM, emphasizing that the practice constitutes a grave human rights violation.
