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Mother's Union Tackling FGM in Sierra Leone
Today, on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we highlight how Mothers’ Union members in Sierra Leone are tackling traditional practices that are harmful to women and girls.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognised internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It is an extreme form of discrimination and reflects a deep- rooted inequality between sexes.
The practice violates women and girls’ rights to health, security and physical integrity and around the world Mothers’ Union members are educating and campaigning for an end to this practice.
Members in the Diocese of Bo, Serra Leone, are actively working closely with their Diocesan Women’s Desk to tackle gender-based violence and to end traditional practices such as FGM that are harmful. Currently, they are working alongside parents, communities and young people so that they can make informed choices about whether to go ahead with such traditional practices.
This approach is very much aimed at educating communities about the dangers of these traditions and encouraging change to occur in organic way alongside empowering women and girls to know their legal rights and emphasising their choice in FGM.
Members involved in this vital work were greatly encouraged when two weeks ago a law was passed in Sierra Leone banning traditional initiation practices such as Female Circumcision for girls under the age of 18.