Global Campaign for an Explicit Ban on FGM (Avaaz Partnership)
Avaaz x A Girl At A Time Sierra Leone
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains legal in Sierra Leone due to the absence of an explicit statutory ban, despite overwhelming evidence of harm, survivor testimony, and international human rights obligations.
In response, A Girl At A Time Sierra Leone, in partnership with Avaaz, launched a global advocacy campaign calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to enact a clear and enforceable legal prohibition on FGM.
This campaign places survivors at the centre, mobilises global solidarity, and demands accountability from those with the power to end this practice.
Why This Campaign Matters
FGM is not a cultural debate. It is a form of violence against women and girls that causes lifelong physical, psychological, and social harm.
While Sierra Leone has committed to protecting children and upholding international human rights standards, the continued absence of an explicit ban leaves girls unprotected and perpetrators unaccountable.
Survivors, frontline organisations, and child protection actors have long called for decisive legal action. This campaign exists to ensure those voices are no longer ignored.
A Global Call to Action
Through Avaaz’s global mobilization platform, the campaign has reached hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
Supporters from across Africa, Europe, North America, and beyond have added their names to a unified call demanding:
An explicit legal ban on FGM in Sierra Leone
Protection for girls at risk
Recognition of FGM as a form of violence and torture
Accountability for those who enable or profit from the practice
This level of international attention sends a clear message: the world is watching, and girls’ rights are not negotiable.
Survivor-Led, Locally Grounded
A Girl At A Time Sierra Leone brings over three decades of survivor-led advocacy, community engagement, and policy work to this campaign.
Our leadership is rooted in lived experience and long-standing relationships with:
Survivors and families
Community leaders and educators
Lawyers, social workers, and safeguarding professionals
National and international policymakers
The Avaaz partnership strengthens, rather than replaces, this local expertise by amplifying survivor voices on a global stage.
Who We Are
Every decision we make is shaped by a clear sense of purpose. Our journey has been anything but ordinary. Through every step, we've focused on staying true to our values and making space for thoughtful, lasting work.
We believe in simple ideas, strong relationships, and lasting impact. What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead.