By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
The Forum Against Harmful Practices issued out a press release on the 19 May 2024 urges the “Kayndu” tradition procession in Kenema to stop with immediate effect.
The “Keyndu” society is known to be a traditional society that co-relates with the Bondo society. According to some sources, some women and girls were initiated into the “Kayndu” society that also practices Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The press release made it clear that, the procession was held to usher the women and girls that were initiated into womanhood and thus restricting the freedom of movement of individuals and also interferes with the education of girls initiated since this is school time according to school calendar.
According to the new FGM report from Owolabi 2024, Sierra Leone has a significant prevalence rate of 83%, which shows that, a large number of women and girls have undergone the practice which have over the years caused serious health complications and some leading to deaths. Apart from health complications, the FGM practice is recognized globally as a violation of human rights of women and girls. According to report, it also reflects deep-rooted inequality of the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls. It was reported that, the practice violates a person’s rights to health, security and physical integrity; the right to be free of torture and cruel inhuman or degrading treatment, the reason FAHP is calling for an end to the practice.
The third and fifth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve good health as well as gender equality; attaining these goals is likely to remain a challenge since the practice of FGM is highly prevalent in Sierra Leone.
The Government of Sierra Leone has signed international treaties like the MAPUTO PROTOCOL and CEDAW for the elimination of FGM. According to report, for the past 30 years advocates in Sierra Leone have pushed for the approval of the Child Rights Act and to include an article that illegalize FGM and also end child marriage and ensuring protection and empowerment for women and girls.
The “Kayndu” tradition revealed that it imposes severe restrictions on township activities including a complete halt to all movement. This restriction poses a direct threat to constitutional rights notably freedom of movement. The freedom of movement according to the constitution grants citizens the right to move freely throughout the country.
FAHP firmly condemns the reintroduction of the “Kayndu” tradition as it shows disregard for the constitutional rights of individual. They urged the government to review the Child Rights Act and pass laws that will end the practice of FGM.
Forum Against Harmful Practices – FAHP is a coalition of 24 National Non-Governmental Organizations in Sierra Leone established in June 2014, to advocate for the reduction and elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs) including Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM).
