The Project Coordinator of the Masanka Educational Assistance Team (MEAT), Mrs. Alice Fortune has added her voice to the clamour for a ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on Saturday 5th July 2008 in Freetown. She called on government to start thinking of enacting a law in parliament that will make the practice of FGM to be a criminal act.

Mrs. Fortune stated that most girls in the rural areas are threatened to enter into early marriage through the society of FGM. She said there has been a long time lack of political willingness to make laws that will put immediate stop to the practice. She called on government to collaborate with international organizations to help eliminate this harmful traditional practice in the country.

Mrs. Fortune however pointed out that the MEAT team is currently offering free sensitization to girls on the dangers associated with FGM. She added that people are begining to realise the dangers associated with the practice of FGM. She said that if massive advocacy and sensitization is being put in place, plenty of the women especially the "Soweis" will voluntarily give up the practice.

The head of the "Soweis" in Masanka and its environs, Madam Rugiatu Bangura said most of them have realized that the practice is bad through the sensitization programmes of the MEAT. Mrs. Bangura noted that as head of the "Soweis" she has better chance to educate and convince the rest of the "Soweis" and other women in the community. She concluded by saying that the task ahead is not an easy one but it has already started and there is the likelihood of winning the cause.

Source: news.sl