Highlights from the Report<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n- The estimated prevalence of FGM in girls and women (15-49 years) is 89.6% (DHS, 2013), 88.3% (MICS, 2010).\u00a0 These rates appear to have decreased slightly from 91.3% (DHS, 2008).<\/li>\n
- There is a worrying increase of WHO type III FGM (infibulation or sewn closed) which is the most invasive and dangerous form of FGM with reports of infibulations varying from 3% (DHS, 2008) rising to 17% (MICS, 2010) and falling back to 9% (DHS, 2013). Further specific research is required to investigate to clarify this data.<\/li>\n
- There is no evidence to suggest increased medicalisation of FGM in Sierra Leone. It remains strongly linked to traditional practices and closely linked to Bondo society initiation ceremonies.<\/li>\n
- Education is increasingly seen as an important factor to reduce FGM. Its effects may not be immediate or direct, but it is believed to be the best long-term intervention to address FGM. Educated girls are better able to resist family and peer pressure and engage with information about the harm of FGM and their rights (UNICEF, 2008). A challenge in Sierra Leone is that access to education is often restricted, especially for girls.<\/li>\n
- FGM is linked to early child marriage in Sierra Leone. The cost of initiation (which is high in a post conflict setting) can be paid for by the betrothed, saving the girl\u2019s family from paying and also receiving a bride wealth in one move.<\/li>\n
- There are more than 84 organisations campaigning to end FGM in Sierra Leone and working to support women\/girls affected by FGM using a variety of approaches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
28 Too Many is a charity working to end female genital mutilation (FGM). Our primary focus is on research and enabling local initiatives to end FGM in the 28 African countries where it is practised and across the diaspora. We also network and advocate for the global eradication of FGM, working closely with other charities\/NGOs in the violence against women sector.<\/p>\n
FGM in the Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nThe civil war had a dramatic effect on the population in Sierra Leone, primarily through the loss of thousands of lives, but also through migration as thousands fled the country. According to United Nations (UN) figures, it is estimated that approximately 30% of the educated nationals left for other countries, mainly the USA, the UK and mainland Europe. It is believed that the UK holds the biggest number of Sierra Leoneans, with some organisations estimating 100,000 (Sierra Leonean Diaspora Network). According to the last UK census (Office of National Statistics, as at 27 March 2011) there are 23,520 Sierra Leoneans living in the UK, identified by country of birth, but this number will be considerably higher if including the children of Sierra Leonean parents born in the UK.<\/p>\n
Louise Robertson, <\/i>www.28toomany.org<\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n
28 Too Many is a charity working to end female genital mutilation (FGM). Our primary focus is on research and enabling local initiatives to end FGM in the 28 African countries where it is practised and across the diaspora. We also network and advocate for the global eradication of FGM, working closely with other charities\/NGOs in the violence against women sector.<\/p>\n
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