The disappearance of Eunice Fudia Kamara has left her family deeply anxious as they have not seen her in over six months. Eunice comes from a traditional family where her Grandmother held the esteemed position of ‘Soweis’, a respected woman leader in charge of the cutting rituals during the FGM ceremony. In the eyes of the community, the ‘Soweis’ possess special powers and are highly revered.
Eunice’s Grandmother, Madam Posseh Kamara, was a renowned ‘Soweis’ who conducted hundreds of cuttings in Kailahun town before her passing. Following tradition, Eunice’s mother assumed the role after her grandmother’s death and had been preparing Eunice to succeed her. Despite growing up in Freetown and aspiring to become a lawyer, Eunice was expected to follow in her family’s footsteps. However, upon the passing of her mother in October 2022, Eunice fled with her daughter, evading the responsibilities thrust upon her.
The Bondo society council members have deemed Eunice’s actions as a defiance of their customs and traditions, sparking a search across Sierra Leone to locate her. The council insists that Eunice must conform to the longstanding practices of her family lineage. Meanwhile, the troubling deaths of young girls due to FGM ceremonies in Sierra Leone have raised awareness of the dangers associated with this harmful practice.
Despite efforts by organizations such as the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) to end FGM and calls for its criminalization by human rights advocates, the practice remains legal in Sierra Leone, with a significant percentage of women having undergone it. The tragic cases of Maseray Sei and the three young girls underscore the urgent need for action to protect the rights and well-being of women and girls in Sierra Leone and beyond.