User:Daisyslay/Female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone

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Female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone (also known as female genital cutting or circumcision ) is the common practice of removing all or part of the female's genitalia for cultural and religious initiation purposes, or as a custom to prepare them for marriage. Sierra Leone is one of 28 countries in Africa where female genital mutilation (FGM) is known to be practiced and one of few that has not banned it. It is widespread in part due to it being an initiation rite into the "Bondo," though initiation rite-related FGM was criminalised in 2019. The type most commonly practised in Sierra Leone is Type IIb, removal of part or all of the clitoris and the labia minora. As of 2013, it had a prevalence of 89.6%. Health complications can arise with the practice of FGM/C and is an influential factor to maternal mortality.

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Cultural Reasons

In regard to society, members of the Bondo are regarded as having a higher standing than other women. The cost of FGM and initiation into the Bondo society is quite expensive, and so parents are proud when their daughters are initiated because it shows they are financially stable and able to afford this. Initiation can cost anywhere from 200,000 to 600,000 Leones, which converts to 62–185 dollars. Soweis, the leaders of the Bondo, tend to raise the price of the initiation into the society if the woman is not a virgin. The leaders are the ones that do the cutting practice and earn their money through the ritual. FGM is so expected in society that when a husband discovers upon marriage that his wife has not undergone FGM, it is common for him to pay for her to undergo the initiation.