Desert Flower Foundation’s Waris Dirie Expresses Frustration Over Ongoing FGM
By Mohamed Konneh
The President and Founder of Desert Flower Foundation Africa Waris Dirie has vented her frustration over the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that still continues with no law to put a stop on the practice.
Waris was speaking during a press conference organized by Desert Flower Sierra Leone in collaboration with Caritas Freetown.
The FGM Campaigner is in Sierra Leone once again for the second time to look at progress made on Desert Flower Sierra Leone Chapter projects and advocacy.
Waris is in the country after attracting another partner “SOLDAIRE” to join the fight against FGM. SOLIDAIRE is a non-governmental organization founded by Enrique Pinyro an Argentine and Italian.
Waris noted Desert flower has open school for girls and that two more schools will be open in the coming years.
She said the mutilation of girls must be change adding that there are no laws to stop the practice that still continue in Africa and Sierra Leone in particular.
‘Those doing the cutting have no support and this is where the government need to come in. this cutting needs to stop and we must all that we can to stop the practice, he said.’
Waris noted since her visit she has and her team have visited a number of government ministries including the ministry of Basic and Senior secondary education.
“The only thing I will say I am disappointed because all I could hear we are making progress and that this thing is a gradual process. The politicians are doing nothing and that mutilation of the child is a crime, she said.’
Waris noted that Africa need to wake up and as long as there is no gender equality the world will not progress.
“We need education of our children more especially the girl child. This is making me angry and we must do everything to educate both boys and girls so that they understand the dangers of FGM, she said.’
Welcoming the guest earlier Michel Sam of Desert Flower Sierra Leone said that name Waris is now a household name in Sierra Leone and that the campaigner against FGM is in the country to ascertain progress made so far.
Mr. Sam noted that a number of progress have been made and that a good number of girls have rescued and now attending school.
The President of Desert Flower, Sierra Leone, Rev. Father Peter Konteh who also doubles as the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown said the journey has been long and the struggle continue.
Father Konteh noted tremendous progress have been made and that it is now time for action rather than talking.
“We were like a voice talking on behalf of people, but we are here today with the actual campaigners. Waris and team are now here to talk on the achievement and the way forward.
Walter of Desert Flower Foundation when making his statement said he met Father Peter Konteh some ten years ago and they decided to have Desert Flower in Sierra Leone.
He said Desert Flower was founded by Waris with the aim to raise awareness on FGM.
“We have four big hospitals to treat people who have gone through FGM and open schools for girls, Walter noted.”
Enrique Pineyro founder of new partner SOLIDAIRE noted that the challenge of using culture to continue with FGM has no place in society.
Enrique said his background as a medical person any child that dies from FGM is a crime.
“Everyday children are dying from FGM and we talk about culture. Why are we mixing this thing with culture. People are dying and we talk about culture. The discussion on culture has no place and if we want to make progressive there is every need to stop the practice, Enrique said.
The founder of Desert Flower Foundation Waris Dirie is a victim of FGM, who was forcefully initiated at a tender age. She formed this foundation to save other girls from harmful practice that have no religious or economic benefit. The foundation was established in Sierra Leone in 2014 and has saved about 2,000 girls from FGM.
The foundation targets and enrolls female beneficiaries into the project ranging from age 1 to 18 who have not been cut or initiated into the Bondo society. The enrolled beneficiaries are provided monthly sponsorship funds geared towards the education and medical.
