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The Government of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its position that no girl under the age of 18 should undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), amid growing public debate over the revised Child Rights Act.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, said the government’s stance on protecting children from FGM remains firm and has the full backing of President Julius Maada Bio and Cabinet.
“Our position as a government is unequivocal. No child under 18 should undergo FGM,” Minister Bah said during a policy discussion with Truth Media.
He emphasized that the government’s efforts to protect children from harmful practices should not be seen as an attack on cultural traditions, but rather as a necessary step to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of minors.
According to government estimates, more than 90 percent of those who undergo FGM in Sierra Leone are children, a reality that has intensified calls from child protection advocates for stronger legal safeguards.
The issue has gained renewed attention following Parliament’s passage of the revised Child Rights Act, after an explicit clause that would have criminalized FGM for minors was removed during legislative deliberations.
Following the law’s approval, Parliament clarified that the final Act does not contain specific penalties or fines relating to FGM, a move that has drawn criticism from child rights and women’s rights groups.
Critics argue that the removal of the clause leaves girls vulnerable and weakens efforts to curb the practice among minors.
Despite the legislative outcome, Minister Bah maintained that the government will continue exploring ways to protect children through existing legal frameworks.
He pointed to provisions in the Child Rights Act that prohibit physical violence, torture, and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment affecting a child’s wellbeing, suggesting these could provide alternative legal grounds for addressing FGM involving minors.
The government, alongside child protection advocates, is now examining possible legal interpretations to ensure that FGM performed on children can still be challenged under these broader protections.
Minister Bah stressed that the fight against child FGM will continue through legal processes, policy interventions, and community engagement.
