Description

A one day seminar on legal perspective on harmful traditional practices in Sierra Leone has concluded at Santanno House in Freetown.
Organised by the Inter African Committee on Traditional Practices (IAC) saw participants exchanging ideas on what needs to be done and also enhance a better understanding and the use of the Gender Laws in relation to promoting and protecting women’s rights.
In her opening remarks chairperson of the ceremony, Harriet Turay 50/50 group President said that, all secret societies in the country are harmful. She added that because it is termed ‘secret’ politicians and most people refuse to discuss it publicly.
The 50/50 President maintained that when people talk about children or gender they only focus about women or the girl child leaving out men and boys.
Festus Taylor Acting LAWCLA Director in his presentation listed Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forceful marriages, transfer of wife after death of husband and less privilege given to girl child as harmful traditional practices.
He explained that all these harmful practices are creating negative impact on women and the girl child and called on the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare to do more to protect women and children.
Linda Osarenren Senior Programme Officer for IAC said that government is powerful and they should step in to address these harmful practices especially FGM and early child marriage.
She explained that the devastating effect of this harmful traditional practice on women and girls has a devastating effect on them than men or boys.
The Senior Programme Officer reiterated that it is not discriminatory to lay emphasis on women and girls because the impact of these practices has negative impact on them.
Suggestions and recommendations were deliberated lengthily by participants on ways to address these harmful traditional practices.