Patterns of Female Genital Cutting in Sierra Leone - Unicef

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UNICEF: Patterns of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Sierra Leone
about to launch is intended to reduce or eliminate harmful traditional practices in our
society” (Statement by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and
Children’s Affairs (Gender and Children’s Affairs Division), on the Launching
Ceremony for a Project on Breaking the Silence for Girls’ Rights by PLAN Sierra Leone,
November 2, 2007). The Ministry staff we spoke with emphasized the importance of
civil society leadership on this issue; government, it was felt, cannot act effectively to end
female genital cutting without cooperation and encouragement from the citizens.
1.2. UNICEF international strategies against FGC
1.2.1. Innocenti Research Center
Internationally, UNICEF and its research center have been concerned to develop better
knowledge of successful methods to promote community dynamics for abandonment of
female genital cutting. In addition, there is recognition that promoting child protection
requires several elements of what Karin Landgren has called the Protective Environment
(2005: 228-232), one of which is “Culture and Custom (Attitudes, Traditions, Behavior
and Practices)” that are protective of children. Harmful traditional practices may be seen
as harmful from the point of view of the international discourse on human rights, but they
may be regarded as positive and beneficial from a different cultural perspective.
1.2.2. UNICEF Strategies for a protective environment in relation to FGM/C.
The following are suggestions for promoting a protective environment for children that
will address the issue of FGC. Awareness of these ideas guided the development of the
research questions for this study.
Knowledge: More information is needed to effectively work against harmful
traditional practices such as FGM/C. UNICEF works to engage with government
in research and monitoring of progress against FGM/C.
A moderate but clear position: UNICEF can contribute to anti-FGM/C activities
by assisting a network of organizations working against FGM/C, the publication
of information related to rights and practices, and mass media coverage. UNICEF
can contribute to a culture of dialogue around this topic, so that change can be
embraced as a shared responsibility.
Legislation: UNICEF can encourage the development of a clear legal
framework that prohibits all forms of FGC from being performed on children.
Political factors: UNICEF can contribute to an on-going human rights dialogue
among political leaders.
Services for children: UNICEF helps to promote health, education, and other
social services for children that are needed to provide a safety net in situations
where parents and communities are unable or unwilling to protect them.
Capacity building for leaders and professionals is a valuable contribution that
UNICEF can make or facilitate. Particular needs include 1.) the preparation of
more members of local communities (such as teachers) to do awareness-raising
and monitoring work (this could be very cost effective as well) and 2.) the skill
improvement of TBAs and other health workers who come in contact with
children affected by FGC and practitioners.