Reporters sans Frontières (Paris)
10 February 2009
Reporters Without Borders is shocked and appalled by the abduction and intimidation of four women journalists in the eastern city of Kenema on 6 February by members of a women's secret society that practices female genital mutilation (FGM). One of the journalists was forced to walk naked through the city's streets.
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Sincerely, I grew up in a Family that was so engaged in the FGM practice.List to say, my Grandmother, my Aunties and lastly my Mother was the last "Soko" that I came to know about. To them,it was believed that,this was the last pride and honour they could achieve before they die. Small as I was,I shared the same belief. With all the time I spent with my family,not a day did I hear of "Sokos" or the Women arresting or naked a fellow female in the Town or Village. Whatever problems they had,they will report to the Town Chief,section Chief or Paramount Chief. Because,they believed that when you naked a female like yourself, then you have clearly violated your own protected Traditions. I do not only regret this incident,which my people are still practicing,but I feel sad to hear that one of my favourite Journalist was the victim of this primitive and uncivilized behaviour. With what I have come to know now as an adult;I promise not to subject any of my daughters to such a behavior.I also promise that no one will subject them to any FGM initiation. The act is cruel. We'll not stop talking about it,until there is a complete end to it.