Sierra Leone has advanced plans to improve coordination in its fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) as government and partners move to establish a national steering body to guide the response.

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, alongside UNFPA Sierra Leone, the Embassy of Iceland in Freetown and other partners, convened stakeholders in the capital to review and adopt terms of reference for the proposed National Steering Committee on the Elimination of FGM, according to organizers.

Officials say the planned committee will serve as a central coordination and oversight mechanism, designed to align national and partner efforts, track progress, and strengthen accountability in implementing FGM elimination initiatives.

The development comes as authorities prepare an updated national strategy on ending FGM, which the ministry says will reinforce a more coordinated and evidence-based approach to protecting girls and accelerating progress.

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FGM remains a major rights and health concern in Sierra Leone. Government figures from 2019 indicate that 61% of girls aged 15–19 had undergone the practice, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing policymakers and partners.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with communities and development partners, concluding with a message of resolve:

“Together, we can protect our girls. Together, we can end FGM.”