What is FGM?
FGM involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It is often carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15, and the procedure can have devastating physical, emotional, and psychological consequences.
In Sierra Leone, nearly 90% of women and girls are subjected to FGM. It is tied to cultural beliefs, seen as a rite of passage or a way to prepare girls for marriage. But it comes at a steep cost—endangering lives, violating rights, and perpetuating cycles of trauma.
Why Talking About FGM Matters
FGM thrives in silence. The stigma and fear surrounding it keep victims isolated and make the topic feel too taboo to address. But the more we talk about it, the more we empower communities to break free from harmful traditions.
• Awareness saves lives: Education about the dangers of FGM helps parents and community leaders make informed decisions.
• Empowerment creates change: When women and girls understand their rights, they can advocate for themselves and their futures.
• Shifting perspectives: Open conversations challenge outdated beliefs and pave the way for new traditions that celebrate, rather than harm, girls and women.
What Gives Us Hope
While the fight to end FGM is challenging, there are incredible strides being made:
• Education and awareness programs are equipping communities with the knowledge to reject FGM.
• Alternative initiation ceremonies honor cultural traditions without causing harm.
• Empowered activists and organizations are leading grassroots efforts to create long-lasting change.
One of the most powerful examples comes from Sierra Leone, where Freedom Tree is working directly with communities to educate, empower, and shift perspectives. In some areas, traditional cutters—once tasked with performing FGM—are being retrained to take on new roles, allowing them to preserve cultural rites of passage without harming girls.
A Personal Story of Change
One young girl shared her story of escaping FGM, thanks to an awareness campaign in her village. Her parents, once firm believers in the tradition, attended an educational session that opened their eyes to the dangers of FGM. “I didn’t understand before,” her mother said. “But now, I want my daughter to be safe and healthy.”
How You Can Help
Change starts with awareness and support. Here’s how you can join the fight to end FGM:
1. Educate yourself and others: Share information about FGM with your community. Knowledge is the first step to change.
2. Support organizations making a difference: Donate to programs like Freedom Tree that are actively working to end FGM and provide alternatives for girls and their families.
3. Speak out: Use your voice to advocate for policies and practices that protect girls and women from harm.
Ending FGM is not an easy fight, but it’s a fight worth taking on. By shining a light on this issue and creating space for honest conversations, we can break the cycle and give girls the future they deserve—free from pain, free from fear, and full of possibility.
Let’s end the silence. Let’s end FGM. Together, we can make it happen.