By Sallieu S. Kanu
The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), a coalition of civil society organisations, has condemned the reintroduction of the “Kayndu” tradition in the Kenema district over disregard for the constitutional rights of individuals.
See press release below:
Press release
The Forum Against Harmful Practices is deeply concerned about the resurgence of the “Kayndu” tradition procession that took place on the 19th of May 2024 in Kenema. The “Kayndu” society is known to be a traditional society that co-relates with the Bondo society. According to sources, some women and girls were initiated into the “Kayndu” society that also practices Female Genital Mutilation. As per tradition, the procession was held to usher the women and girls that were initiated into womanhood and thus restricting the freedom of movement of individuals and also interferes with the education of girls initiated since this is school time according to the school calendar.
According to the new Female Genital Mutilation Report (Owolabi 2024) Sierra Leone has a significant prevalence rate of 83%. This shows that, a large number of women and girls have undergone the practice which over the years have caused serious health complications some leading to death.
Besides the health complications, the practice of Female Genital Mutilation is recognized globally as a violation of the human rights of women and girls. It reflects deep-rooted inequality of the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls. The practice also violates a person’s rights to health, security and physical integrity; the right to be free of torture and cruel inhuman or degrading treatment, the reason FAHP is calling for an end to the practice.
The third and fifth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve good health as well as gender equality; attaining these goals is likely to remain a challenge since the practice of Female Genital Mutilation is highly prevalent in Sierra Leone.
The government of Sierra Leone has signed international treaties like the MAPUTO PROTOCOL and CEDAW for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. For the past 30 years, advocates in Sierra Leone have pushed for the approval of the Child Rights Act and to include an article that illegalize Female Genital Mutilation and also end child marriage and ensuring real protection and empowerment for women and girls.
Lastly, the “Kayndu” tradition revealed that it imposes severe restrictions on township activities including a complete halt to all movement. This restriction poses a direct threat to constitutional rights notably freedom of movement. The freedom of movement according to the constitution grants citizens the right to move freely throughout the country.
Therefore, we firmly condemn the reintroduction of the “Kayndu” tradition as it shows disregard for the constitutional rights of individual. We also call on the government to review the Child Rights Act and pass laws that will end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation.
The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) is a coalition of 24 National Non-Governmental Organizations in Sierra Leone established in June 2014, to advocate for the reduction and elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs) including Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM).