The Inter Africa Committee (IAC) on harmful traditional practice has frowned on the recent manhandling of four female journalists in the township of Kenema.
The four journalists were reportedly manhandled and detained by Soweis in Kenema for reporting on the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
In a news conference on Tuesday at IAC Sierra Leone Chapter office, the Director Laurel Bangura said IAC is an organization advocating for the harmful cultural practice affecting women.
She added that, the case of the four journalists is an unfortunate one, adding that her organization is totally against it.
Bangura noted that in those days Bondo was to prepare women for marriages and to also build their capacity for community purposes.
“Bondo itself is regarded as a noble institution, but it is disheartening to note that people are putting FGM at the centre stage of Bondo”, she said.
Bondo she also said is different from FGM; Bondo is a practice aimed at enhancing the capacity of women, whilst FGM is attached to harmful practices.
We are not opposing to Bondo but FGM she said.
The Director disclosed that she has written two books on FGM exposing the entire practice.
She called on the Kenema people to desist from such thing and described them as responsible citizens.
Bangura also called on the government to intervene into the matter and take necessary actions on this issue.
By Abibatu Kamara
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