As NaMEP concludes FGM Meeting in Mankneh-1 Community… Residents Ready to Abandon FGM

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson✍️

As they continue to popularize the concept to abolish the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone, the National Movement for Emancipation Progress (NaMEP) with support from Men-Engage has conducted a day’s meeting with residents of Mankneh-I community in the Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone. 

The meeting fostered discussion between NaMEP and residents of Mankneh-1 community on the abandonment of the practices of FGM in the community as a way of curbing the effects of the ancient practice in that part of the country. 

Moses Lamin Fofana, a led facilitator of the meeting said that attendees were very responsive and positive in terms of accepting the dangers of FGM and all of their feedback was crystal clear on their readiness to abandon the practice of FGM in the community. 

Mohamed Tholley and Salamatu Kamara spoke on behalf of other attendees. When speaking to Northern Times, the two parents acknowledge that the practice of FGM has posed enough threats in the lives of women and girls in their community and they as parents have been wrongly investing in the practice for their children (Young-Girls) to be circumcised for fear of mockery in their environment. 

“We are happy that NaMEP have today sensitized us in the midst of those people who are fully involved in the act of FGM, at least all of us have learnt, made contributions and agreed to abolish FGM in our community,” they revealed. 

In her response, Madam Fatu Victoria Conteh, the Director of NaMEP thanked the people of Mankneh-1 for taking part in the discussion and for accepting to turn their back from the seemingly polarized ancient practice. 

She recalled that indeed during the days of Late Madam Yoko, FGM was a virtue, an admiration every woman or matured girl will want to go through for they were taught the basic responsibilities of taking care of themselves, their husbands, children and their homes but the FGM since some two decades ago is mere money making and extortion in rural communities. 

“This is why NaMEP is undertaking such venture to advocate for the abolishment of FGM and that it should girls especially young ones should not be forced to undergo it process but should be at least willing to do so when they are matured enough to do so.” She explained.