Mr President,
We are writing to express our deep concern about the tragic deaths of Salamatu Jalloh and Kadiatu Bangura, aged 13 and 7, due to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). These devastating losses emphasize the urgent need to combat this harmful practice.
Reports say the late Salamatu Jalloh who died after the cutting, was among eight girls initiated and are still trapped in the bush in the Kabailor village. The late teenager was initiated together with the other girls on Sunday 14th January, 2024 and passed away the following day after complaining severe stomach pain.
Sierra Leone is among the three countries in West Africa yet to pass a specific law prohibiting FGM, despite a high prevalence among women and girls. It is imperative to proactively formulate and enforce laws against this violation of human rights.
We, the Women Leaders Network for Development – Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), urge continued collaboration among NGOs, policymakers, community leaders, and individuals in Sierra Leone to intensify efforts in eradicating FGM.
As we mourn the tragic loss of Salamatu and Kadiatu, we call for collective action to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents in the future. Our deepest condolences go to the affected families.
FGM is a harmful practice that has no medical benefits and can cause severe physical and psychological harm to girls and women. It involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice is deeply rooted in cultural and traditional beliefs, but it violates the human rights of girls and women and can lead to lifelong physical and psychological consequences.
It is important to acknowledge that Sierra Leone has already taken significant steps towards ending FGM. Notably, Sierra Leone ratified the Maputo Protocol in 2015. This landmark protocol explicitly prohibits FGM and requires signatory states to take legislative and other measures to eradicate the practice.
Despite this commitment, FGM remains a deeply entrenched practice in parts of Sierra Leone, affecting nearly half of all girls and women. We urge your government to take decisive action to honor Sierra Leone’s international and regional commitments and protect its women and girls from FGM. This requires a multi-pronged approach:
1. Translate Commitment into Action:
- Enact a comprehensive law explicitly prohibiting FGM: Sierra Leone has yet to enact such a law, despite ratifying the Maputo Protocol. This law should criminalize all forms of FGM, establish clear penalties for perpetrators, and provide legal recourse for survivors.
- Implement and enforce existing laws: Sierra Leone already has laws related to child protection, gender-based violence, and harmful traditional practices. However, these laws need to be explicitly applied to FGM and effectively enforced.
2. Strengthen Institutional Capacity:
- Allocate adequate resources and training to relevant ministries: The Ministries of Justice, Law, Social Affairs, Education, and Defense need the resources and expertise to effectively address FGM within their mandates. This includes training law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and educators.
- Establish a dedicated national task force: Create a task force specifically focused on ending FGM, bringing together representatives from government, civil society, traditional authorities, and the international community.
3. Invest in Community Engagement and Education:
- Launch nationwide awareness-raising campaigns: Utilize various media channels and community outreach programs to educate the public about the harmful consequences of FGM and promote alternative rites of passage.
- Empower girls and women: Provide girls with access to quality education and economic opportunities, which can contribute to delaying or preventing FGM. Support women’s rights groups and community-based organizations working to end FGM.
4. Uphold Regional and International Cooperation:
- Share best practices with other African Union member states: Sierra Leone should actively participate in regional efforts to end FGM and learn from the experiences of other countries.
- Collaborate with international partners: Work with UN agencies, NGOs, and other international organizations to access resources and expertise for ending FGM in Sierra Leone.
We urge the government of Sierra Leone to take immediate action to pass a specific law prohibiting FGM and to enforce existing laws against the practice. In addition, the government should work with NGOs, community leaders, and individuals to raise awareness about the harmful effects of FGM and promote behavior change.
We also call on the international community to support efforts to combat FGM in Sierra Leone and other countries where the practice is prevalent.
Together, we can work to eradicate FGM and protect the rights of girls and women.
Sincerely,
The Women Leaders Network for Development – Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD)
NATIONAL SOURCE: https://ayvnews.com/2-girls-dead-7-trapped-in-bondo-bush-soweis-abscond/
NOTE FOR EDITORS:
The Women Leaders Network for Development – Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le développement (RFLD) is a feminist organization working to end discrimination, violence against women and girls, and promote gender equality and human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Women Leaders Network for Development – Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) founded in 2012 is a regional organization based in West Africa working with 470 members from over 60 women-led member organizations across 27 countries to promote and protect the rights of youth and women and ensure their participation in decision-making spheres.
