By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 1st June, 2026 – A 30-year-old mother of four from the Moeyaba Community in eastern Freetown has accused local Bondo society leaders of forcibly initiating her into Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a case that has reignited debate around consent, women’s rights, and traditional practices in Sierra Leone.
The woman, whose identity is being withheld for safety reasons and referred to here as Bintu Kamara, said the incident allegedly took place on 14th May, 2026. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Truth Media, she alleged that the Chief “Sowei” of the Moeyaba Community, identified as Nedaywah, worked together with other Soweis to forcefully subject her to FGM against her will.
Bintu confirmed that she made an official report at the Ross Road Police station in Eastern Freetown on 28th May, 2026. She said that the police gave her a medical report and assured her that they would investigate the matter. However, she had called on the Government of Sierra Leone and human rights organizations to intervene and ensure justice is served.
According to Bintu, the incident stemmed from tensions involving another woman connected to the man she had been dating for more than a year. She claimed the man’s mother had chosen another woman for her son, resulting in repeated disputes between the two women.
She alleged that during one confrontation, the other woman informed members of the Bondo Society that she had never undergone FGM. Bintu said she was later reported to local Soweis after allegedly insulting initiated women despite being referred to as a “Borka”, a term commonly referring to women who have not undergone the practice.
According to her account, she was later summoned by the Soweis and questioned about whether she had undergone initiation. Out of fear, she admitted that she had never gone through FGM. However, she alleged that the women insisted and physically examined her.
Bintu claimed she was then taken to the home of her boyfriend’s mother, where several people had gathered, alleged that she was dragged into a room, stripped naked, restrained, and forcibly circumcised after failing to pay a reported NLe. 25,000 fine was imposed on her.
“They held me down while I screamed and prayed throughout the entire process,” she recounted emotionally.
She further alleged that she was denied proper medical care after the procedure and later confined in a room where sheep were kept. According to her, she was prevented from seeing her four children and eventually fled into hiding out of fear for her safety.
Bintu also claimed that members of the society are threatening to compel her to continue traditional training to become a Sowei following her forceful initiation.
She called for justice and protection, stating, “What happened to me was against my will.”
No official statement has yet been issued by the relevant authorities regarding the allegations, while the accused individuals could not be reached and their whereabouts remain unknown at the time of publication.
The case is expected to further intensify public discussions surrounding FGM, consent, and the protection of women’s rights in Sierra Leone, where the practice remains deeply rooted in some communities despite growing criticism from activists and human rights organizations.
