April 1, 2021
My Body, My Right project second phase launch has registered two hundred girls who are yet to be mutilated in four chiefdoms. The project is to kick start on Tuesday the 30th March 2021 in Valunia chiefdom, Bo district.
In order to eradicate traditional harmful practices and early marriage of girls below eighteen years and promote education for girls, Commit and Act Foundation Sierra Leone with support from German Doctors engaged chiefdom stakeholders and community members on the second phase launching of ‘My Body My Right’ project in Mandu town Valunia chiefdom, Bo district.
The groundbreaking event drew the attention of stakeholders from all sections within the chiefdom. The project core activities and scope of beneficiaries were shared.
The Country Director provided an overview of the project, the impact on the first phase of the project which is ongoing in four chiefdoms (Bombali Shebora, Makali, Gbonkelekeh, and Dansogoya) in Tonkonklili and Bombali district, the roles and responsibilities of parents and children were outlined by Madam Hannah Bockarie founder and Country Director of Commit and Act. She further warned parents (beneficiaries) to constantly monitor their children from sexually related activities and desist from initiating their children below consent age.
Responding the Paramount chief Doctor Madam Magret Gbani applauded commit and Act and it donors for such intervention in educating parents on the negative effect of FGM on girls below eighteen years and promoting education. She said her chiefdom is one of the under deprived chiefdom were they cannot be proud of any young girl who have attained senior secondary school level without getting pregnant. She said if the trend continues the chiefdom will be adversely affected.
She said: “Education is the greatest weapon which can defend anyone who diligently endures to gain it”
this project is an opportunity for all girls especially those who are attending school and I pledge to support this project to become success, because I believe if you all focus on your education and avoid this traditional practices most especially for children below eighteen years it will produce people like us. Anyone found guilty of initiating a girl child below eighteen years I will personally enforce the law to deal with them accordingly.”
This project which target two hundred uncut girls seventy children were qualified for Valunia chiefdom which were draw from all sections in the chiefdom.
The project my Body my right is aimed at eradicating traditional harmful practices for girls below eighteen years, teenage pregnancy and early marriage by promoting education through the provision of livelihood support to parents, provision of educational support and medical support etc. to FGM free girls for three years.