Freetown—The National Sowei Council of Sierra Leone and advocacy group “Sierra Leone Women Are Free to Choose” (SLWAFC) have voiced frustration following the abrupt denial of their permit to hold a peaceful protest outside Parliament.
The demonstration was aimed at opposing the Child Rights Bill 2024, specifically clauses related to female genital cutting (FGC), which the groups contend infringe upon cultural and traditional practices.
The permit for the protest was initially granted by the Inspector General (IG) of Police, with advisories in place for coordination with local law enforcement to ensure security. However, the authorization was swiftly revoked, reportedly after what sources described as “interference” from the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi. Representatives from the Sowei Council suggested that the move reflected an attempt to silence dissent and present an illusion of unanimous support for the bill.
In a press release, the National Sowei Council and SLWAFC reiterated their objection to terms like “Female Genital Mutilation” (#FGM), arguing that such language mischaracterizes their traditional practices.
They contend that the bill’s terminology on harmful practices disregards the cultural and social value of Bondo and Sande societies, which have served as rites of passage for young women in Sierra Leone for generations.
The Council further questioned Sierra Leone’s obligations under international frameworks, including the Maputo Protocol and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, arguing that these conventions do not require a ban on FGC.
The Council also criticized attempts to establish an alternative “National Sowei Council” that would ostensibly support the bill, calling the move a deliberate strategy to mislead the public and undermine their organization’s efforts. They labeled the permit revocation as a breach of their democratic and constitutional right to peaceful protest.
Despite the setback, SLWAFC stated it would reapply for a permit independently, maintaining its stance against the bill’s FGC-related provisions. Meanwhile, the National Sowei Council has pledged to continue resisting any legislative changes that, in their view, stigmatize or marginalize women who participate in these long-standing cultural practices.
