Gender Adviser: Protect Minors from FGM; Limit Practice to Adults

Gender Adviser: Protect Minors from FGM; Limit Practice to Adults

The Presidential Adviser on Gender Affairs, Isatu Jabbie Kabbah, has formally declared that minors must be protected from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), asserting that no child should be subjected to the practice.

During a press briefing at the Miatta Conference Centre on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Kabbah clarified the current legal landscape. While Sierra Leone lacks a comprehensive national ban on FGM, she emphasized that existing child protection frameworks do not support the procedure for minors.

Kabbah highlighted that contemporary advocacy is specifically directed at preventing the initiation of children into the Bondo society, the traditional institution where FGM is performed.

FGM remains a deeply embedded cultural rite of passage in Sierra Leone, traditionally required for entry into the Bondo society. The practice involves the partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

The Gender Adviser further proposed that the practice should be strictly limited to consenting adults aged 18 and older, ensuring that individuals have the maturity to make informed personal decisions regarding their bodies.

Despite being one of the nations where FGM persists without a full legislative prohibition, Sierra Leone continues to see rigorous advocacy from groups seeking robust legal reforms to safeguard the rights and health of women and girls.

These remarks align with escalating national and international pressure for stricter regulation. Human rights organizations continue to underscore the urgent need to abolish FGM for minors, citing significant health risks and fundamental human rights violations.