AYV News, March 19, 2026
The Presidential Adviser on Gender Affairs, IsatuJabbie Kabbah, has renewed calls for stronger protection of girls, stressing that children must be shielded from harmful traditional practices, including Female Genital Mutilation.
Speaking to newsmen in Freetown, Kabbah emphasised that while Sierra Leone does not yet have a comprehensive law banning FGM, existing child protection frameworks make it clear that minors should not be subjected to the practice.
She noted that current advocacy efforts are increasingly focused on preventing the initiation of underage girls into the Bondo Society, where FGM is traditionally performed.
Kabbah further proposed that any consideration of the practice should be restricted strictly to consenting adults aged 18 and above, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their own bodies.
Her remarks come amid growing pressure from human rights groups and international partners calling for stronger legal reforms to address FGM, particularly its impact on children. Advocates continue to warn of the serious health risks and rights violations associated with the practice.
The Gender Adviser’s position signals a shift toward tightening protections for minors, as national conversations intensify around balancing cultural traditions with the rights, safety, and wellbeing of women and girls.
