Sowei Faces Court as Sierra Leone Grapples with Pervasive Child FGM and Government Inaction

Sierra Leone’s enduring struggle with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) emerged this week as Marie Tholley, a traditional sowei, appeared in Moyamba Magistrate Court. 

Tholley faces charges for allegedly subjecting a 13-year-old girl to FGM during initiation into the Bondo society, a deeply concerning incident highlighting the prevalent violation of child protection laws. 

This case underscores the alarming statistic from UNICEF: an estimated 83% of women and girls aged 15-49 in Sierra Leone have undergone FGM.

The proceedings against Thorlley reveal a disturbing reality: despite her admission under oath that she personally initiated the child with the grandmother’s consent, such practices continue unchecked. 

This comes just weeks after the ECOWAS Court of Justice delivered a landmark ruling, demanding Sierra Leone take concrete legal steps to protect girls from harmful traditional practices like FGM. 

The court unequivocally stated that the government’s failure to explicitly outlaw FGM violates regional human rights commitments, particularly those safeguarding children and women.

The international spotlight is now firmly on President Julius Maada Bio’s government, which faces mounting pressure to act decisively. In stark contrast to The Gambia, which swiftly prosecuted FGM perpetrators following a tragic incident, Sierra Leone’s response has been sluggish. 

Campaigners are urgently calling for the immediate withdrawal of the current draft Child Rights Bill and its return to Parliament with a clear, non-negotiable clause banning FGM for children.

FGM, a violent act disguised as culture, inflicts severe pain, trauma, and lifelong health complications on its victims. It is not a cultural right. The data speaks volumes about the widespread harm. 

The silence and delay from the government are increasingly seen as complicity and endorsement. 

The lives, dignity, and futures of Sierra Leonean girls hang in the balance, awaiting decisive action from President Bio.