Katanya Women’s Development Association, a local non-governmental organisation aimed at empowering and advocating for the rights of women, ended the International Day of Zero Tolerance on Female Genital Mutilation on the 6th of February 2025, in Sambaia and Dasogoia Chiefdoms, Tonkolili District in Northern Sierra Leone.

In commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the campaign, which brought together school pupils, community stakeholders, traditional leaders, and ceremonial Chiefs to discuss the dangers mutilation poses on girls and women, in general was sponsored by Purposeful Sierra Leone through the Wati-Kura Grant.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM), observed annually on 6 February, provides an opportunity to highlight progress and raise awareness to end this harmful practice.

The commemoration is a time for collaboration and commitment from community leaders, health workers, the government, development organisations and family members.

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Ann Marie King, the founder of the Katanya Women’s Development Association highlighted the importance of educating locals about the harms of FGM. She said that it is against that backdrop her organisation is taking the campaign to stop the mutilation and practice. The event took place in Kunya and Bendugu for Sambaia Bendugu Chiefdom and Ferengbeya in Dasogoia Chiefdom.

This year, Madam King said there is a focus on strengthening alliances and building movements to end FGM.

King said FGM violates fundamental human rights and can result in complications from detrimental physical and psychological as well as social and economic impacts lasting throughout childhood, reproductive years, and old age.

“Today, over 230 million girls and women worldwide are FGM survivors. The stakes are high: an estimated 27 million additional girls are at risk of undergoing FGM in the next five years,” Madam said during one of the campaigns.

In 2025 alone, nearly 4.4 million girls are projected to be at risk, according to Madam Ann Marie King.

To prevent such needless suffering, she said everyone must invest in resources, foster open discussions, and challenge the social norms that perpetuate FGM.

As agents of change, King furthered that everyone has a role to play in ensuring girls grow up free from this harmful practice and the urgency to unite efforts in abolishing FGM, she said has never been greater.

She called on community stakeholders, traditional leaders, and everyone to condemn the practice and stop it because its dangers to society are significant.

In the Ferengbeya community, pupils from the King Fahad Islamic Secondary School, Community Islamic Primary School, Baptist Secondary and Primary school engagDe in quiz and drama competitions on the dangers of the practise. Women and survivors in the communities also shared their experiences and how the practice has negatively impacted them.