July 14, 2021
By: Audrey John
“Politician should stay away from Bondo society”, these are the exact words of the chairperson of the Forum Against Harmful Practice, Madam Rugiatu Nanneh Turay Nee Koroma, reacting to rumors making rounds on social media, wherein a Member of Parliament, Paramount Chief and Soweis Council Executive Member appears to speak strongly in support of the continuation of the harmful traditional practice of Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C) of girls in disguise of supporting the Women Bondo Society.
Addressing press men at the Harry Yansaneh Conference Hall, SLAJ Secretariat, the chairperson of FAHP said as a coalition they are calling on the attention of the Government of Sierra Leone and it’s development partners that their campaign is not against the traditions and culture of the Bondo society, rather against FGM/C as a practice within the Bondo society which is a violation of the human rights of women and girls.
“Up holding the noble values of the Institution of Bondo and recognize that the practice of FGM/C is a health burden and a violation of the human rights of the children and women,” she stated.
Speaking further, Madam Koroma said they still maintain that FGM/C does not equate itself to Bondo and that Bondo is not all about FGM/C.
“We are shocked at the statement in the video clip made by a female Parliamentarian and traditional rulers about the importance of the Bondo without addressing the issue of FGM/C,” she stressed.
She said FAHP want to remind duty bearers of their broader mandate and higher responsibility to protect the rights of all their constituents and subject to life, to good health and opportunity to better themselves.
She went on to state that their work over the years with communities including elected officials and traditional leader has shown that it is possible to maintain the Bondo culture without FGM/ C.
Madam Koroma in continuation said FAHP understand that the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and UNICEF Sierra Leone plans to revise the Child Rights Act 2007 to insert an age of consent provision that would make it illegal to initiate girls (is age 18 and under) into the Bondo Society.
She said they need no politics in Bondo society because it is their form of entertainment and tradition.