Description

In its bid to curb child rights and other human rights violations occurring on a daily basis on the shores of Sierra Leone, the Advocacy Movement Network (AMNET) has facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sowei Council, Council of Tribal Heads, the District Council and the Human Rights Commission to abolish the initiation of children below the ages of 18 years in Sande/Bondo Society.
The meeting which was held yesterday at Youyi Building 6th Floor Conference Room was attended by senior initiators from the Sowei’s Council and Tribal representatives of the various ethnic groups, the Deputy Commissioner of HRC-SL, the Mayor of Freetown Municipality and the Chairman Western Rural District Council.
The negativity of child genital mutilation was aptly discussed during the brief session hinging on the fact that it has contributed a lot to teenage pregnancy, early marriage, HIV/AIDS infections and other social factors militating against girl child development in Sierra Leone.
It was noted that when once children are initiated into the Bondo Society the tendency for them to get married to men rise dramatically since the institution is allegedly a breeding ground for matrimony which normally result to school drop outs and in most cases premature death during child bearing.
It was further advanced that even though the Sande/Bondo Society is part of our traditional culture, there is need for modification to enable it survive in modern day environment. This means that there should be the willingness of the individual to participate and be part of the society and not coercing or intimidating women when they are not part of the culture, especially in traditional settings. It was therefore unanimously agreed that even though the dignity of the practice (s) still remains, there is need for an agreement to be met so that only those above eighteen will be encouraged to belong and with their consent.
Even though the MOU is subject to amendment, signatures were appended on the document by members of the Sowei Council and concerned institutions to grant endorsement to the eradication of child FGM in the country.