Prominent Sierra Leonean Anti-FGM Gender Activist Brutally Attacked

By Samson Alieu

Anti-FGM Activist Henrietta

Freetown, Sierra Leone. Gender activist Henrietta was brutally attacked and assaulted over her campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone.

On 20th May 2017, Dennis was holding a meeting with female activists in Kambia District when a group of unidentified thugs and some of her family members stormed the gathering. The attackers scattered chairs and tables, tore down banners, and violently assaulted Henrietta as she defended her group’s right to speak out against FGM.

“The thugs told me that if I continued this work, I would be forcefully initiated into the practice as punishment,” Dennis recalled.

The assault in Kambia was not an isolated incident. For years, Henrietta has traveled across Sierra Leone to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM, including its health risks, psychological impact, and the stigma it causes for survivors. In response, she has been met with hostility from local authorities and community leaders who argue that FGM is a cultural tradition that must be preserved.

Despite repeated threats and harassment, Henrietta persisted in her activism. However, the lack of state protection left her increasingly vulnerable.

“Instead of safeguarding my rights, officials either supported the perpetrators or ignored the violence against me,” she expressed.

Sierra Leone is one of the countries with a high prevalence of FGM, a practice condemned internationally as a violation of human rights. Activists who challenge the practice often risk intimidation, physical assault, or forced initiation.

Fearing for her life, the attack has left her devastated, and she remains in fear for her life as she is being heavily haunted by promoters of FGM and even members of her family.

“I live in constant threats from family members and FGM promoters; my life is not in my hands, I fear I will be attacked again,” she declared.

Her case highlights the dangers faced by women’s rights defenders in Sierra Leone and adds to global calls for stronger protection for activists challenging harmful traditional practices.