In Sierra Leone’s Bombali District, a family of four lives on the run, haunted by threats and violence for their refusal to submit their daughters to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a cultural tradition that they believe must end. This is the story of Ibrahim Bangura, a man standing up to centuries-old customs to protect his daughters, aged now five and eight, from a painful, life-altering practice.
FGM is deeply woven into the traditions of Bombali, where every girl is expected to undergo the procedure as part of her initiation into the secretive Bondo society—a ritual that supposedly prepares her for womanhood. But Ibrahim and his wife, who endured FGM herself and lives with the physical and emotional scars, are determined to shield their daughters from this fate.
In Bombali, resisting this ritual is unthinkable, especially for Ibrahim, whose grandmother is a prominent Bondo leader. The community sees his refusal as a betrayal of the family’s honor and tradition. Women from the Bondo society, along with local leaders, demanded that his daughters undergo the initiation, citing the family’s role in upholding the tradition. The consequences were swift and brutal.
During a visit to their village for Christmas, tensions erupted into violence. Community members stormed the Bangura home, demanding that the girls be handed over. When the family refused, a confrontation ensued, and Ibrahim’s wife narrowly escaped with the girls while he was beaten and nearly killed. Amid the chaos, someone shouted, “Burn him alive in the house,” but he managed to flee to safety and eventually reach Freetown, where he received medical attention.
Even in Freetown, the Bangura family finds no safe haven. They face a torrent of threats, vandalism, and even arson—culminating in the destruction of Ibrahim’s car, burned down as a warning. Their home in Bombali was also set ablaze, leaving them homeless and shattering any sense of security. Forced to stay on the move, they live with the constant dread that their refusal has marked them as targets for life.
Ibrahim’s family legacy only heightens the danger. His late grandfather was a revered village chief, and his grandmother wields influence within the Bondo society, amplifying the community’s demands for his daughters’ initiation. By defying these expectations, Ibrahim is not merely rejecting tradition; he’s challenging the very power structures that govern his community, a stance that has turned him into an outcast and a marked man in his own homeland.
In Sierra Leone, where FGM is prevalent and culturally protected, the legal system offers little support. Despite the severe health risks—intense bleeding, infection, reproductive issues, and even death—speaking out against FGM can lead to severe repercussions. Local authorities, bound by cultural respect and the Bondo society’s influence, are often reluctant to intervene.
The Bangura’s’ story sheds light on a crisis affecting families across Sierra Leone. Many parents live in silent fear, unable to protect their daughters from this deeply ingrained practice. By refusing to allow FGM, Ibrahim and his wife have made enormous personal sacrifices to safeguard their daughters’ health and futures, risking their home, security, and even their lives.
The international community must recognize the Bangura family’s courage. FGM is a violation of human rights and must not be tolerated, regardless of cultural tradition. Families like the Bangura’s, who risk everything to protect their children, deserve support, protection, and action. Without intervention, more families will suffer, and more young girls will be forced into a life marked by pain and trauma.
The Bangura family remains hidden, clinging to the hope that one day, they can live in peace. They have chosen to fight for their daughters’ freedom and well-being, even at tremendous personal cost. As the world bears witness, let us amplify their voices and demand an end to this harmful practice. No family should have to choose between tradition and the safety of their children.