By: Raymonda John
The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and children’s Affairs, Purposeful and Irish Aid have organized a float parade in Waterloo.
The theme of this year’s event is: “FGM is a Human Right Issue, End it”
The float/procession parade started at 5-5 Waterloo to Tombo Junction and ends at Bassa Town Field where several statements were made.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary FAHP, Madam Aminata Koroma expressed thanks and appreciation to partners’ organizations for gracing the occasion.
She also thanks the sponsors especially the Purposeful, Ministry of Gender and the media to be part of the colorful ceremony.
In her statement, the Chairperson of FAHP, Madam Rugiatu Neneh Koroma disclosed that Waterloo is a FGM prone community that most of the women and girls died in the Bondo bush almost every three months.
He said over the years nobody talked about FGM in public forums but FAHP and other partners have been able to break the barrier.
Speaking on the challenges, Madam Koroma said the big challenge as a Coalition is funding gap, revealing that FAHP need unending funding to ensure that FGM end in the country.
Madam Rugiatu Neneh Koroma called on international and other big organizations that deal with FGM to direct their funding to local organizations to heighten the fight to end the practice of FGM.
Madam Koroma also pleaded to Government to sign the FGM National Strategy which is the major strategy to end FGM in Sierra Leone.
She also expressed the challenge for regulatory powers to make laws regarding end of FGM in Sierra Leone.
According to Koroma the bloodless rite sponsored by Purposeful was a pilot phase that everyone has welcomed in not only in the piloted District but the nation as a whole.
She urged the Ministry of Gender and government to take the bloodless Bondo initiative in other districts to end the harmful practice.
Madam Koroma further that, the government has worked relentlessly to provide the 30% quota for women, land right and now as women they need protection which is their key and one among the protection is eradication of FGM.
In her statement, the Legal Adviser for Purposeful, Nicky Spenser-Coker who is, said anything that hinder women progress they are always ready to fight and end it.
Barrister Coker said all the countries in Africa have signed the Maputo Protocol and other Conventions that, FGM is a human right violation and it must end in Sierra Leone.
“No one works towards ending Bondo society in the country. As Sierra Leoneans we believe in Bondo, we believe in sexual right and we also believe in violent free society” she said.
She went further that as campaigners to end FGM end is their best interest as Sierra Leoneans.
Nicky Spenser-Coker urged for collaboration and pleading to the waterloo resident to abandon FGM as it has economic, social and health implication of women and girls in society.
In his submissions, the Civil Society Organization representative in Waterloo, Mr. Salim Conteh said there are several cases of FGM in Waterloo.
Mr Conteh said as CSOs in the district, they observed that most of the incidence of subjecting women and girls into FGM in Waterloo are sponsored by people in high authority.
He urged FAHP for continue with the civic education in these deplorable communities to ensure that women and girls will all know the effects of FGM and how it retrogresses the country.
Making her keynote address, the Director of Gender Affairs, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Mariam Goodie Sowonie, on behalf of the Ministry of Gender expressed her ministry’s commitment and dedication to promote and protect the rights of women and girls in the country.
She expressed thanks to all donor partners for sponsoring the float parade and the International Human Right Day, a day that she said will help to address issues of women and girls protections.
She also spoke on the theme which he said, FGM is a human right issue and it must be stopped.
Mariam Goodie Sowonie furthered that, FGM has negative impact on health of women and girls in the country, adding that the practice also has issues of vulnerability for women and girls in society.
She maintained that the Ministry acknowledges that Sierra Leone has signed the Maputo protocol and CEDAW adding that such conventions signed is to end harmful practices especially end FGM.
Several representatives from the coalition members including officials of the ministry of social welfare made salient statements.
Mr Ishmael Cole who rendered the vote of thanks expressed thanks to all meaningful organizations, students and other partners organizations that took part in the float parade ceremony and called for all to work towards ending FGM.
