By Mamajah Jalloh
Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, revealed on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, that the Government of Sierra Leone will soon ban the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) for girls under the age of eighteen. He made this announcement during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Conference Hall in Tower Hill, Freetown.
According to government figures, 61% of girls aged 15-19 have undergone FGM.
Bah mentioned that the provision to ban FGM is already included in the amendment to the Act on the Prohibition of Early Child Marriage. The amendment now only needs parliamentary approval. He added that consultations were ongoing, and he had engaged with the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs. The cabinet ministers had already approved the amendment.
Bah emphasized that the government is willing to make tough decisions when it comes to protecting the rights of girls in Sierra Leone. He highlighted President Bio’s strong stance on gender issues and his decisive action in passing the Sexual Offences Act with the support of parliament.
“President Bio has taken tough decisions regarding gender issues,” Bah said. “The Sexual Offences Act was not controversial but tough, and it was passed with the support of members of parliament. The Child Act was also tough; people think it was easy, but it was not. If it were easy, it would have been passed before.”
Bah noted that one-third of girls marry before the age of eighteen, which affects many aspects of their development. He praised President Bio and the First Lady for doing what was right for the girls of Sierra Leone.
He further stated that Sierra Leone has signed and passed the Maputo Protocol, demonstrating the country’s commitment to international agreements on child marriage and FGM.
Bah assured that the process is ongoing and that they will achieve their goal, celebrating the prohibition of early child marriage as a significant step while continuing to engage communities to eradicate FGM.
He concluded by stating that Sierra Leone will become one of the countries that truly live up to international practices regarding the elimination of FGM.
