A girl born in South Asia or sub-Saharan Africa faces a cruel double burden. She will grow up in a region beset by poverty, disease, war or famine. She will also confront these challenges with the added disadvantage of being female. Although more attention is being given to gender issues, inequality persists in every culture, country, and continent. A new study for the Copenhagen Consensus project shows that eliminating this disparity is an investment with high payoffs.

Melron Nicol Wilson...doing a good job

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is normally considered by Human Rights Activists an act of violence against women and girls and a human rights violation. But it is also a cultural tradition, deeply rooted in religious and social convictions, and ensures marriage prospects for girls and young Women. Many who choose to deviate from other patriarchal social norms accept FGM because there is tremendous social pressure to go through with the practice. Also many Young girls have no choice as the practice is imposed on them by their Parents.Simply condemning FGM as inhumane, or a human rights abuse, does little to stop it. In a Country like Senegal for instance the passing of a Law to stop FGM did not reduce the Practice In my recent discussions with local women in Makeni, I have found it more effective to avoid the cultural and religious rationales

Anti FGM young girls protest in Eritrea(Credit:Womankind Worldwide)

Several Sierra Leonean organizations – Civil Society, Human Rights, Women’s Advocacy, Media and other groups including individuals have all sharpened their knives and cutlasses in readiness of “to cut or not to cut.” Soweis and bondo girls’ fate now lie in the results of workshops, symposia and statements made by those whose responsibility it is to defend, protect and modernize Sierra Leone’s rich cultural heritage and the rights of the individuals including the right to choice.

US Ambassador and Gender Minister Inspect Work of Arts

Ambassador June Carter Perry and Mr. Frederick Perry officially launched the art exhibit that will be on display at their residence for the next 3 years.  The program was attended by Government Ministers, artists, educators, diplomats, and others in the cultural community.

Prior to the rebel war, women in Sierra Leone were regarded as domestic servants who had no say in decision making.  By then, they should only be seen engaged in cooking, in child naming ceremonies and the “Bondo” secret society where they will be discussing vital issues amongst themselves concerning their family affairs.

At the 48th session of the Commission for the Status of Women in New York,a key topic of discussion was indeed the role of men and boys in gender equality.Despite this,the tireless efforts of International initiatives to adopt UN Security Council 1326 women,peace and security as far back as October 2000 have only just begun to emerge in practice.