The visiting CEO of Plan International, Tom Miller, has stated that the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) should not be condemned “by a bunch of white people” but that any discussion on the issue should come from within.
The CEO made this statement over the weekend when he briefed journalists about his visit to Sierra Leone.
The Plan CEO said he visited Moyamba and Bombali, “which is one of our operational areas” and met women who were active players in FGM.
He said he was surprised to hear from the women making suggestions about how to stop the practice.
Fadimata Alaincher, the Plan country director, stated that FGM had been practiced in many African countries but that some African countries had stopped it so therefore Sierra Leone could do the same.
She pointed out that, “Sierra Leone is part of a global village that is pushing for the eradication of FGM”, adding that “Plan International will support a Blood Free Initiation.”
The visit of the CEO is the first in Sierra Leone for the 71 years Plan has been in operation in the country.
Tom Miller came with the regional director, John Challover, and they toured Plan’s operational areas in the country.
They also met with President Ernest Koroma and a host of ministers and children whom Plan is supporting in their operational areas in Port Loko, Kailahun, Moyamba, Bombali and the Western Area. The CEO said he was very impressed with the work they had been doing in the country and promised to continue and even scale up their operations. He said, “Plan is working in 66 countries in the world and has been spending a little over 600 million dollars worldwide”.
Plan International is child focused and it is currently working on maternal and child health, education for development, youths and community empowerment and child protection.
By Mohamed Fofanah
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