By Simity Admire Nenneh Kamara
The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), in collaboration with WAVES, Action Medeor, Irish Aid, and Purposeful, organized a public advocacy forum in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025. The event, which took place at the FAT/WUS Hall in Mile 91 on March 8th, was centered around the theme: “For All Women and Girls; Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
The event was graced by women from various districts in Sierra Leone, including Bo, Kambia, Karene, Port Loko, Moyamba, and Pujehun. The forum brought together stakeholders, activists, and community leaders to discuss critical issues affecting women and girls, including discrimination, harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) amidst the many challenges.
The session began with an opening prayer, followed by a welcome statement from a local authority.
Highlighting the purpose of the event, the chairperson for the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), Rugiatu Nenneh Turay, in her statement, emphasized the importance of empowering women and girls and eliminating harmful practices that continue to hinder their development. She noted the danger of the FGM practice, stating that it has major and serious impacts on the well-being of women and is a violation of their human rights. She called on all stakeholders to recognize the need for communities to work together to eradicate it from society.
Several discussions centered around Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). According to Ms. Judith M. Benjamin Esq., sexual and gender-based violence is a pressing issue affecting women and girls. She outlined the various forms of violence and the need for stronger legal frameworks, as well as the role of society in ensuring protection and justice for survivors. She mentioned several gender-based violence laws, such as the Customary Land Rights, Domestic Violence Acts, Devolution of Estate Act, Child Rights Act, Sexual Offences Act, Employment Act, Registration of Customary Marriage Act, Gender Equality Women Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
FAHP also featured an interactive session, where participants engaged with speakers, asked questions, and shared their views on how to create a safer and more inclusive society for women and girls.
Madam Mary Kailie, one of the participants from Bo and a member of the WAVES organization Salone, shared her views on female genital mutilation. She added that it is high time women prioritize education rather than FGM, as it is harmful to young girls, expensive, and can lead to numerous sicknesses and complications. She ended by wishing all women in the nation a Happy International Women’s Day.
As the event concluded, stakeholders called for greater advocacy, policy changes, and community involvement in addressing these challenges. They emphasized that achieving gender equality requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, and the Sierra Leone government.
