Patterns of Female Genital Cutting in Sierra Leone - Unicef

8
UNICEF: Patterns of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Sierra Leone
4. Findings.
FGC is a long-term tradition of all of the ethnic groups of Sierra Leone except for those
Krio who are Christians (there are both Muslims and Christians among the Krios). The
Muslim Krios and the other 15 ethnic groups practice FGC in the context of initiation of
girls into the women’s secret society known as the Bondo (or Bundu) Society or Sande
Society, a cultural practice shared with ethnic groups in neighboring Liberia and Guinea
as well. Initiation includes both secret rituals and public celebrations. It continues with
great vitality, although some aspects are in the process of change.
The movement against the practices is not well developed, but in 2008 it is beginning to
achieve public attention. However no government ministry has undertaken concerted
change efforts—which would logically fall within the purview of the Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Education, and especially the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender, and
Children’s Affairs. From our interviews the reluctance of government entities at all
levels to take on this issue is due to the widespread societal opposition to change and the
perceived political sensitivity of the issue of initiation.
5. Discussion and Framework for Strategic Interventions
Knowledge about the types of practices, the risks, the criticisms of the practices, and the
questioning of the practices by religious authorities is not yet sufficiently widespread, and
these are likely areas for interventions to promote societal change. In addition, the need
for greater awareness by government leaders and greater willingness to engage in policy
efforts against FGC is quite evident. Encouragement is needed for the development of
greater awareness and resolve to promote the social environment that can protect children
from this human rights problem. Dialogue among all parties is vital, to gain consensus
on this tradition and its role in Sierra Leone’s future.
6. Conclusions and Recommendations, with Focus on UNICEF Action.
Sierra Leone is in the early years of the development of a social movement to abolish
FGC/FGM, but because of the rapid changes taking place following the end of the war
and as a result of reconstruction efforts, the people of Sierra Leone are poised to
undertake rapid change.
UNICEF can play an important role in supporting the movement for change by
encouraging coordination and cooperation among the civil society groups and individuals
interested in ending the cutting. A promising organization that is likely to be able to
facilitate progress on this issue is the National Movement for Emancipation and Progress,
NaMEP. NaMEP members have offered training in proposal writing and organizational
work, building the capacity of activists to generate funds and work effectively, both on
specific projects and for national advocacy. UNICEF’s support for this organization
would also benefit the constituent groups.
Because of the political sensitivity of the issues surrounding FGC in Sierra Leone, the
government of Sierra Leone has not taken the lead in trying to stop the practice.
Although civil society is expected to take the lead, UNICEF is uniquely positioned to