In a major breakthrough for women and children’s rights in northeastern Sierra Leone, local NGO HAPPY Kids and Adolescents has expanded its community protection mechanisms from 9 to 15 chiefdoms across Falaba, Karene, and Koinadugu districts. The move marks a significant acceleration in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) in the region.
The expansion forms part of the project “Accelerating progress towards the elimination of FGM in Sierra Leone,” implemented with strategic technical support from UNFPA Sierra Leone and funding from the Embassy of Iceland.
A key innovation has been the formal integration of influential local women who have chosen not to cut their daughters into the community defence structure. Following a two-day training workshop, the new Mother Champions Clubs (MCC) were officially launched and presented to traditional and community leaders. The champions received training on the health and psychological impacts of FGM, advocacy techniques, and child protection tracking, with a special focus on mapping health and legal referral pathways to ensure at-risk girls receive swift medical and psychosocial care.
“For a long time, many of us wanted to protect our daughters but felt isolated. This training has given us the legal knowledge, medical facts and referral tools to stand firm. We will no longer be silent; we will serve as a shield for every girl in this chiefdom,” said a newly inaugurated Mother Champion Leader from Romende chiefdom in Karene district.
The expansion builds on the recent launch of six new FGM Survivors Advocacy Networks within the newly onboarded communities. During the launch ceremonies, paramount chiefs, religious leaders, and other stakeholders publicly signed “Commitment Boards” in front of their communities, endorsing the survivors’ action plans and pledging to protect women and girls.
“Signing this Commitment Board on behalf of the Paramount chief in front of the section chiefs, town chiefs and my people is a vow. We are endorsing the survivors’ action plans because their pain must not be inherited by the next generation. We will strictly enforce protection mechanisms within our jurisdictions,” said the chiefdom speaker of Kalian chiefdom in Koinadugu district.
The president of the Kalian FGM Survivor Network added: “To see our traditional authorities walk up and sign our action plans gives us incredible strength. We used to hide our stories, but now we have a seat at the table to protect our younger sisters and daughters.”
The project now operates 15 survivor networks and 12 school clubs, creating a synchronised, multi-layered approach to community safety that bridges adolescent agency with adult oversight. Two new anti-FGM school clubs were recently inducted at Musaia Junior Secondary School in Falaba District and Steven Gbakoro Junior Secondary School in Kumala, Koinadugu District, increasing the total from 10 to 12.
Reflecting on the model, founder and director of HAPPY Kids and Adolescents, Mrs. Mariama M Conteh, said: “Our approach shifts the power dynamics. When traditional leaders sign commitment boards in front of their own people, it transforms a project activity into a self-governing community mandate. We are very grateful to our staff, volunteers and partners who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.”
With 15 chiefdom structures fully activated and 12 school networks operational, the project has built a sustainable, community-owned infrastructure capable of protecting the next generation of girls.
