Living In Fear and The Failure of The State to Protect Victims of FGM

The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a recognized cultural practice in Africa and Sierra Leone in particular.

Despite several pleas and campaigns from human rights defenders to end the harmful practice, families in Sierra Leone take pride in the initiation of girl-child through this decade-long tradition.

The practice of FGM for traditionalist, go beyond the cutting as they say it is an important institution that prepares every female for womanhood. Such an endorsed belief, has paved way for acceptance even among the educated elites.

In an exclusive interview with Zainab Turay Kamara, a 35-year-old victim, she narrated her ordeal as a member of a soweis family as she usually witnessed the initiation of girls.

She hailed from a ‘Soweis’ family -the traditional name of FGM initiators- in Sanda Loko Chiefdom, Northern Sierra Leone.

Like many women, Zainab herself was a victim who was initiated at a young age without her consent.

Any woman that fails to go through the initiation process is known as ‘gborka’ (uncircumcised) and her rights and privileges are limited in the community.

This has made many people to succumb to the FGM culture, thereby violating the right of the child.

Despite hailing from such an FGM cultured-home, Zainab described the practice of FGM as a total violation of human rights.

“Seeing young girls going through such a horrible practice in the name of culture makes me weep for days,” she said while describing the initiation process.

For tradition to survive, the soweis practice must pass on from generation to generation, and it is incumbent on every female member to accept the calling whenever the spirit decides.

A rejection of such an offer, normally leads to the infliction of a curse on the person.

This was the case for Kamara, who was next in line to take the knife after the passing of her grandmother Mafereh Kargbo, a powerful native doctor and sowei in Sanda Loko.

For Zainab, she had no option than to reject such a barbaric offer. This resulted in her total alienation and excommunication from the community; a choice she accepted than being an initiate.

According to her, since she refused to succeed her grandmother, life has not been favourable for her as every night comes with horrible dreams.

Reflecting on her journey, Zainab emphasized that her opposition to FGM is rooted in her personal convictions and respect for human dignity, not in a rejection of her culture or her family.

“Whether a person is educated or uneducated, no one should feel pressured to subject themselves or others to a practice they believe is harmful. I do not believe anyone should have to endure what I consider a barbaric act simply to gain acceptance or status in society. Every girl and woman deserve the right to make decisions about her own body without fear, threats, or coercion.”

She added that her faith has also shaped her perspective.

“I was raised as a Christian and grew up believing in the value of love, compassion, and the dignity of every human being. Later in life, I married a Muslim, and through both experiences I have learned that faith should encourage respect, mercy, and the protection of human life—not violence or harmful traditional practices. My hope is that communities can preserve the positive aspects of their culture while letting go of traditions that cause pain, fear, and lifelong trauma.”

Despite the challenges she has faced, Zainab says she will continue to speak out for the rights of girls and women, advocating for a future where no child is forced to undergo FGM against her will.

Zainab is not alone in such a strenuous encounter with culture as those who had rejected in the past, had either died mysteriously or suffered incurable diseases.

While there are no laws banning the practice in Sierra Leone, human rights defenders always clash with soweis and herbalists, and a condemnation of FGM practice in some part of the country means death or madness. This has made many people silent all together.

The 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey show 83% of women between the age of 15-49 years went through FGM.

Despite mounting pressures coming from the international community and human rights activists, the Sierra Leone government hasn’t taken any measures to ban FGM as some say it is a way of preserving African culture.