Forum Against Harmful Practices-FAHP

Forum Against Harmful Practices-FAHP FAHP is non-profit organization that is working towards the eradication of harmful practices in S/L.

26/05/2026

The chairperson for the Forum Against Harmful practices

Forum Against Harmful Practices has been promoting the Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP), also known as Bloodless Bondo,...
19/05/2026

Forum Against Harmful Practices has been promoting the Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP), also known as Bloodless Bondo, as a culturally sensitive approach to ending female ge***al mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone. The initiative recognizes that Bondo remains deeply rooted in cultural identity and womanhood, and rather than dismissing the tradition entirely, FAHP works to separate the cultural teachings and values from the harmful act of cutting. This approach preserves cultural identity while promoting the safety, dignity, and rights of girls and women.

The Alternative Rite of Passage entails community-led ceremonies that retain the educational and symbolic aspects of traditional initiation without FGM. Girls are guided through teachings on womanhood, leadership, personal development, hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health, while still participating in songs, cultural dress, mentorship, and public celebrations. FAHP works closely with soweis, paramount chiefs, section chiefs, religious leaders, parents, and community stakeholders to ensure ownership and acceptance. Through its coalition members, FAHP has implemented ARP activities across several districts, including with Girl Child Network in Makeni, LIFT Salone in Tonkolili, Praise Foundation in Moyamba, AIM in Port Loko, and VVW in Bo, with more communities expected to adopt the model.

FAHP’s ARP work reflects the reality that FGM in Sierra Leone is not only a cultural practice but also tied to social acceptance, politics, and economic survival for some practitioners. By introducing Bloodless Bondo, FAHP creates a pathway for cultural continuity without violence, while contributing to national efforts under the Child Rights Act 2025 and the national strategy to protect girls. Through these interventions, the coalition continues to show that traditions can evolve, and communities can uphold cultural values without compromising the rights, health, and future of girls.

We are proud to announce that Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) has been selected to serve as a member of the Civil...
29/04/2026

We are proud to announce that Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) has been selected to serve as a member of the Civil Society National Reference Group (CS-NRG) under the Spotlight Initiative Programme in Sierra Leone.

Representing FAP in this national platform is our National Coordinator, Mr. Ismail Cole, who was successfully selected through the Expression of Interest (EOI) and assessment process.

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the United Nations and the European Union aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. In Sierra Leone, the programme works closely with government institutions, civil society organizations, and communities to address issues such as gender-based violence, female ge***al mutilation, child marriage, and other harmful practices.

The Civil Society National Reference Group serves as an important mechanism for ensuring that civil society voices remain central to the implementation of the initiative. The group provides advisory support, strengthens advocacy efforts, and promotes accountability to ensure that programmes remain responsive to the needs of women and girls particularly those from marginalized communities.

As an organization committed to ending harmful practices and advancing the rights of women and girls, Forum Against Harmful Practices looks forward to contributing its expertise in advocacy, community engagement, policy dialogue, and awareness raising through this important national platform.

This milestone reflects our continued commitment to creating safer communities and advancing meaningful change for women and girls across Sierra Leone.

Empowered women. Stronger communities. But how far have we really come?Change is happening at the community level....yes...
21/04/2026

Empowered women. Stronger communities. But how far have we really come?

Change is happening at the community level....yes.
But we must ask ourselves the difficult questions.

Are women and girls truly being empowered…
or are we only addressing the surface?

Beyond small support or economic activities,
are we challenging the harmful practices that continue to limit their freedom, health, and choices?

What role are our paramount chiefs, section chiefs, and religious leaders playing?
Are they driving real transformation
or maintaining systems that hold women and girls back?

Empowerment is not just about opportunity.
It is about protection.
It is about rights.
It is about ending harmful practices.

The conversation must go deeper.
The action must go further.

Because real empowerment changes everything.

For generations, girls were confined to traditional roles not because of their inability, but because of restrictive soc...
14/04/2026

For generations, girls were confined to traditional roles not because of their inability, but because of restrictive social systems. Today, evidence clearly shows that when girls are given access to education, they perform equally or often better than boys, especially in literacy and completion rates.

Education does not only empower the individual girl; it transforms entire communities by reducing poverty, improving health outcomes, and strengthening social systems. Educated girls grow into women who actively contribute to the workforce through leadership, entrepreneurship, and skilled professions, driving economic growth and more inclusive decision-making.

However, despite this progress, harmful practices such as Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM) continue to exist, creating a clear contradiction in society. FGM is not just a cultural practice but a structural barrier that harms girls physically and psychologically, undermines their confidence, and disrupts their education and future opportunities.

The issue is not girls’ capability, but the systems that continue to limit them. True progress requires confronting these contradictions directly, because when girls are educated, protected, and given space to thrive, they do not just succeed,they transform the world around them.

“He rose… so we could live.” This Easter is a reminder of love, sacrifice, and new life. But as we celebrate, let’s not ...
05/04/2026

“He rose… so we could live.”

This Easter is a reminder of love, sacrifice, and new life. But as we celebrate, let’s not forget many girls are still facing harmful practices like Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM).

FGM is not culture.
FGM is harm.

It takes away dignity, health, and the right for girls to grow safely.

This season of renewal, let’s choose to protect life in all forms.
Let’s speak up.
Let’s educate.
Let’s protect our girls.

FGM in Sierra Leone is often defended under the guise of tradition and culture. The reality today tells a different stor...
25/03/2026

FGM in Sierra Leone is often defended under the guise of tradition and culture. The reality today tells a different story.

What was once framed as a cultural practice has increasingly become a political tool used to secure loyalty, influence communities, and win votes. During election cycles, silence, endorsement, or indirect support for FGM is often exchanged for political gain, allowing the practice to continue.

This shift means the conversation is no longer just about culture or religion. It is about power, control, and political convenience. When leaders choose popularity over protection, the rights, health, and futures of girls are put at risk.

Ending FGM requires more than community awareness. It demands political accountability. Leaders must stop using harmful practices as bargaining chips and take a clear stand to protect their citizens.

The time has come to call it what it is.
FGM is no longer just a tradition. It is a politicized issue that requires courageous leadership and decisive action.

20/03/2026

Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum
“May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.”

As we celebrate this blessed season of Eid, the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) extends our heartfelt wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters. May this special occasion bring peace, joy, and renewed strength to our communities.

Eid reminds us of the values of compassion, unity, and kindness, principles that continue to guide our work as we advocate for a safer and more inclusive society for all.

May your homes be filled with happiness, your hearts with gratitude, and your days with endless blessings.

16/02/2026

FGM: Myths and Misconceptions

Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM) is often justified through myths around tradition, religion, and morality, but none of these justifications stand up to truth or reason.

If FGM is said to be tradition, then it should not cause harm. Culture is meant to protect and preserve people, not traumatize and endanger them. A harmful practice cannot be defended as culture.

If FGM is said to be religion, then it should not be monetized. Faith is about guidance and values, not profit from pain. There is no genuine religious basis for inflicting lifelong physical and psychological harm on girls and women.

One of the most common myths is that FGM “controls” women’s sexuality, that it reduces libido, prevents promiscuity, or guarantees virginity. This is false. Sexual desire is personal and biological, not something that can be “cut out.” Women, like men, naturally differ. Some have high libido, some have low, and many fall in between. Cutting a girl’s body does not create morality. It creates trauma.

FGM does not make women better. It does not protect dignity. It does not improve behaviour. What it does is violate bodily autonomy, increase health risks, and deny girls their right to live whole, healthy lives.

FGM is not tradition. It is not religion. It is not protection.
FGM is harm, and harm should never be normalized.

The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), along with its partners, successfully commemorated the International Day of ...
11/02/2026

The Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), along with its partners, successfully commemorated the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM/C) on Friday, 6th February 2026, in Tombo Big Wharf, Western Area Rural District.

The fight against Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM/C) has been a long and challenging one for FAHP, especially due to gaps in implementation and the failure to explicitly ban and criminalize FGM. Current legal frameworks often limit the issue to “age of consent,”. However, FAHP continues to upheld the zero tolerance.
The Zero Tolerance Day celebration is an important milestone in FAHP’s continuous efforts towards the total elimination of FGM/C in Sierra Leone. It reinforces the call for zero tolerance for all ages, as there is an urgent need to protect women and girls from this barbaric and harmful practice.

The commemoration day brought together members of the FAHP Coalition, Paramount Chiefs, Community Stakeholders, Change Makers, (Soweis who have publicly declared), and Members of the School Clubs of Influence across various districts, all united in commemorating the day.

FGM remains a very sensitive topic, as most practitioners still believed it is a deep-rooted tradition that should be continued, with the cutting as a significant part of cultural rituals.

The Chairperson of FAHP, Madam Rugiatu Neneh Turay.
In her address, Madam Rugiatu Turay stated: “We do not need more laws on FGM, as there are already laws that can be used against practitioners and those who support these practices. We are not afraid, because what we are doing is not illegal and has been ratified in Parliament.”

She further emphasized that the International Day of Zero Tolerance is not just a day of commemoration, but a global call to action for collective responsibility in ending FGM/C and protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls everywhere.

Special thanks to Irish Aid, Purposeful, Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM), G2G, and all partners who made the commemoration a success through their continuous support, collaboration, and commitment to advancing the fight against harmful practices. Together, we remain united in the pursuit of a future free from FGM/C.

Address

Texaco
Freetown

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:30
Thursday 09:00 - 16:30
Friday 09:00 - 12:00

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+23276640954

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