24/08/2025
Mariama's Desperate Escape: A Fight Against FGM in Sierra Leone‼️
An urgent call for help as a young woman named Mariama has gone into hiding after fleeing threats of forced initiation into the Sowei Bondo society, a traditional cultural practice associated with Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM), in Sierra Leone. Mariama's family, who are members of the local Sowei Bondo society, have been searching for her, and her friend who helped her escape is now facing threats and intimidation.
According to sources close to the victim, the woman—whose identity is being withheld (mariama's mother)for her safety—refused to undergo the initiation process. She fled and left her family behind because the practice is evil and does not want to be part of it . Members of the local sowei Bondo society , who are her immediate relatives, allegedly began threatening her daughter, who also is nowhere to be found. The family started issuing out warning that if she did not submit, they would “come for her forcefully. She stayed at her friend’s residence for a period of time and later had the opportunity to travel out of the country.
However, the threats reportedly continued. Mariama's friend Knowing fully that her friend has travelled, she started sending her messages of threats from her family. Meanwhile, the friend is also scared for her life. And she is totally against the practice. Because it involves using a sharp object (knife/razor blade)to cut the Ge***al part of girls/women without any sterilised protection. It is very painful and can be harsh. It sometimes leads to bleeding,death, and other life-threatening complications. Mariama's friend Knowing fully that this practice is associated with the above risks does not want her friend to be part of it. The practice is still ongoing and has not been abolished.
However Members of the sowei Bondo group kept searching and allegedly traced her to the friend’s home and confronted the friend, demanding she hand over mariama or face their rought.
It was at this point that I came about the incident ..where groups of traditional people dressed in their cultural attire representing the sowei society demonstrating in an outrageous manner. Some in black,red, and white ,some in white headgear, etc, holding machetes,knives, and broom. I asked them and gathered the above information. The friend of mariama was standing at the entrance of her door, insisting that nobody should enter her place .
However, FGM is a deeply ingrained cultural practice in Sierra Leone, with nearly 90% of women undergoing the procedure. FGM can lead to severe pain, bleeding, infections, and long-term health complications, including fertility issues and mental health problems.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education
