FAHP Honours Madam Yoko’s Legacy at ‘Bloodless Bondo’ Ceremony

Moyamba, Sierra Leone – In a landmark event for women’s rights and health in Sierra Leone, the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) led a tribute to Madam Yoko, the founder of the Bondo society, at her grave site in Moyamba. This ceremony marked the graduation of 20 women who completed a bloodless Bondo initiation, symbolizing a significant step in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The event was spearheaded by FAHP, in collaboration with Praise Foundation, and celebrated the first Alternative Rite of Passage in Moyamba District. The bloodless Bondo preserved the cultural essence of the initiation ceremony but eliminated the harmful practice of FGM, which has long been associated with serious health risks, including severe pain, infection, and complications in childbirth.

Madam Aminata Koroma, Executive Secretary of FAHP, emphasized the importance of acknowledging Madam Yoko’s role in women’s empowerment while rethinking her legacy in light of modern health concerns. “Today, we honor Madam Yoko’s contributions, but we also protect the health of our women and girls. The people of Moyamba have embraced a stress-free Bondo that keeps our cultural identity intact without the harmful aspects of FGM,” Koroma stated.

The ceremony is a crucial victory in the ongoing effort to eradicate FGM, a practice that affects 86.1% of women in Sierra Leone, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). By offering a safe and alternative cultural rite, the bloodless Bondo is expected to lead to widespread changes in attitudes and practices across the country.

Local leaders, including Paramount Chief Foday Momoh Kulama of Kaiyamba Chiefdom, praised the initiative as a transformative moment. “This new beginning resonates with the need to end harmful practices against women and girls,” said Chief Kulama. “We are introducing a safer culture that will continue to unite women and provide opportunities for education and empowerment.”

The head of the traditional Bondo leaders (Soweis) in Kaiyamba Chiefdom expressed support for the bloodless ceremony, noting that it allowed women to complete the initiation and make decisions about their lives without undergoing FGM. “This is the best ceremony we’ve had. It has been stress-free and cost-free for parents,” she said.

The successful pilot of the bloodless Bondo, supported by Irish Aid, reflects a growing movement against FGM. Activists like Elizabeth Bangura, a key organizer with Praise Foundation, emphasized the importance of safeguarding underage girls. “Among the 20 graduates are university and secondary school students, and we ensured that none of them were minors,” she said.

Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rates, among the highest in the world, are often exacerbated by complications from FGM. The bloodless Bondo offers a path to healthier futures for women and girls, ensuring they can pursue education and leadership roles free from harmful traditional practices.

FAHP and Praise Foundation are determined to expand this model to other regions, with continued support from local leaders and international donors. As the movement grows, they hope to secure a future where harmful practices like FGM are a thing of the past, replaced by safer rites of passage that empower the next generation of Sierra Leonean women.