Woman Allegedly Escapes Forced FGM Initiation
A 24-year-old woman, Alice Tinna Kanu, is alleged to have fled her community after narrowly escaping what sources describe as an attempted forced initiation into the Bondo Society, a traditional women’s secret society associated with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, a close friend of Alice claimed that Alice Tinna Kanu had been under intense pressure from her grandmother to succeed her as the head of a Bondo Bush.
According to our source, Alice repeatedly rejected the proposal, insisting that becoming a Sowei conflicted with her personal beliefs and aspirations.
The source further alleged that Alice was raised by her grandmother, Sampa Kanu, who was described as a respected Sowei and Bondo leader involved in conducting initiation ceremonies. It was claimed that Sampa Kanu told Alice Tinna Kanu that she had received a spiritual revelation naming Alice as her successor.
However, Alice reportedly refused to accept the role. According to the source, her decision was met with severe consequences, including the withdrawal of financial support for her education, denial of food, and the withholding of her school fees. These hardships allegedly forced her to miss classes while preparing for her final examinations.
Although her grandmother is said to have eventually paid the outstanding fees, the disagreement resurfaced when another initiation ceremony was scheduled.
Our sources alleged that Alice again refused to participate and pleaded for more time, but her request was reportedly rejected.
Another woman, identified as Isata Gbassah Conteh, who was described as a close friend of Alice’s late mother, also alleged that Alice’s mother had fled the community years earlier to avoid undergoing the same initiation ceremony after she was named as a successor.
According to Isata Gbassah Conteh, the situation reached a critical point on March 4, 2021, when Alice and several other young women were allegedly taken by force to a Bondo Bush for initiation. She claimed that as some of the women cried out in pain during the initiation process, Alice managed to escape by jumping through a window under the cover of darkness before fleeing into a nearby bush.
The sources further alleged that, within their community, anyone who escapes a Bondo initiation is traditionally considered to have committed a grave offence and could face death or other severe reprisals if apprehended. However, this publication has not independently verified those claims.
The sources further alleged that following her escape, members of the Sowei Council declared Alice wanted and warned community members against sheltering or assisting her.
Members of the Bondo Society have refused to grant an official interview with this medium, claiming that the issue is purely traditional and that no outsider is allowed to interfere in the matter.
However, all efforts to get the response of Alice Tinna Kanu have proven futile, but we hope to obtain her response soon.
Also, youth advocate from the Youth Empowerment and Development Association, Mr. Mohamed Kamara, has called on the authorities to investigate the matter, declaring that no one should be forced to undergo Bondo initiation against their will.
All other authorities refused to grant an official statement on the issue.