UK Government Awaits Sierra Leone’s Action on ECOWAS FGM Decision

The United Kingdom government has said it will be “watching with interest” how Sierra Leone responds to a recent ECOWAS ruling on female genital mutilation (FGM), which classified the practice as one of the worst forms of violence against women and girls.

British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ms. Josephine Gauld, expressed disappointment over what she described as apparent support for the practice within the country, while also acknowledging Sierra Leone’s sovereignty in determining its laws and cultural practices.

Speaking to Truth Media, Ms. Gauld highlighted the global position on FGM, noting that the United Nations considers the practice illegal and that it is widely condemned internationally as a violation of human rights.

She further stressed that under UK law, individuals who take children abroad to undergo FGM and return to the United Kingdom would face prosecution.

“It was disappointing that Parliament debated the law and there wasn’t strong support to end FGM,” she said, adding that continued dialogue and legal reforms are necessary to better protect women and girls from the harmful practice.

Her remarks come amid increased international attention on Sierra Leone’s handling of FGM, with advocacy groups calling on the government to strengthen protections and enforce existing legal frameworks to eliminate the practice.

The ECOWAS ruling is widely viewed as a significant regional benchmark, challenging member states to take more decisive action against harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls.