Female genital cutting (FGC): An investigation into its implications on the attitudes and performance of school girls in Eastern Sierra Leone

Johnson Adlyn O.¹* and Johnson Adolphus J.²

¹Department of Teacher Education, Njala University, Sierra Leone.

²Department of Extension and Rural Sociology, Njala University, Sierra Leone.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: adlynjohnson@yahoo.com

Accepted 07 January, 2013

Abstract

This paper sets out to investigate the attitudes adolescent school girls hold to FGC which is widely practiced in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, which is the study area. It also finds out statistically the link between attitudes to FGC and performance of school girls. Both questionnaires and focused group discussions were used to achieve the aims of the study. The results of the study showed that girls have a positive attitude to this practice; contrary to the views of international organizations that the practice will soon be eradicated. It was also discovered that the age of FGC is getting lower and that it is parents who are making the decisions for these girls. Statistic also inferred that there is a significant relationship between attitude to FGC and performance of school girls. Much more sensitization has to be done if this practice which is against the Child Rights Bill which is based on the Convention of the Rights of the Child is to be eradicated.

Keywords: Female Genital Cutting, girls’ education, Sierra Leone