08/09/2026
In recent time we've seen videos promoting FGM circulating on social media. But for us, the conversation around Bondo, Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM), social norms and the protection of girls and women requires courage, evidence, community dialogue, and a willingness to listen to voices that are often left unheard.
The Koinadugu District Women’s Network (KDWN) continues to create spaces for women, girls, parents, traditional leaders, community stakeholders and duty bearers to discuss these issues openly and constructively.
As part of strengthening this work, KDWN participated in a training conducted by UNFPA through Happy kids on FGM and Social Norms. The training provided valuable understanding of how social norms influence individual and community behaviour, and how practices can continue even when some individuals privately question or disagree with them.
This brings us to the important concept of pluralistic ignorance.
Pluralistic ignorance occurs when people privately hold concerns or different views about a practice but remain silent because they believe that “everyone else supports it.” As a result, a practice may continue not necessarily because everyone genuinely agrees with it, but because people fear social rejection, stigma, criticism or being seen as disrespectful to their culture.
This is an important lens through which we need to understand conversations around Bondo and FGM in Sierra Leone.
Silence should not automatically be interpreted as consent.
Through community engagement, awareness raising, women’s empowerment and dialogue, KDWN is committed to helping communities create safe spaces where people can ask questions, express concerns, listen to one another and make informed decisions.
Our approach is not about disrespecting culture or attacking communities. It is about supporting informed, inclusive and rights-based conversations that place the dignity, safety, health and wellbeing of women and girls at the centre.
We must move from:
“Everyone supports it.”
to
“Everyone has the right to speak, question, listen and participate in shaping the future of our communities.”
The training on FGM and Social Norms conducted by UNFPA through Happy kids has further strengthened KDWN’s understanding and capacity to engage communities on these complex issues.
Together, we can challenge harmful social norms, break the silence created by pluralistic ignorance, amplify the voices of women and girls, and support communities to become agents of positive and sustainable change.
KDWN believes that transformation begins when people are given the knowledge, confidence and safe space to speak.
Koinadugu District Women’s Network Amplifying Women’s Voices, Transforming Communities.
