1. Introduction⁠Female genital mutilation (FGM), female excision and circumcision are all synonymous with procedures involving the partial or total removal of the external genitalia and other injuries to the genital organs for non-medical reasons. (WHO 2008)⁠ It is widely practiced in 29 countries. Worldwide, more than 125 million girls and women face the consequences, and 3 million girls are circumcised every year. (UNICEF 2013)⁠Sierra Leone, located in West Africa, is one of the countries where FGM is practiced (Box 1). Here, the prevalence of FGM is around 90%. Types I and II (Table 1) are the most common and together represent approximately 75%. (DHS 2013)⁠ FGM occurs in all 16 ethnic groups of Sierra Leone, with the highest percentage in the Temne and the quantity lowest in the Christian minority group. Krio.(MICS 2011)⁠⁠The procedure often takes place without local anesthesia and in non-sterile conditions. Numerous complications can occur, reported in 84.5% of cases, including excessive pain, bleeding, shock, urinary retention, septicemia, infertility, obstructed labor, HIV and hepatitis B infection, and even death. Psychosexual problems are also reported. (Bjälkander, Bangura, et al. 2012; MICS 2011) Due to the adverse health effects, FGM has been recognized as a human rights violation and received attention in international human rights law in 1993. at the World Conference of Vienna on human rights. (WHO 2008)⁠Several countries in Africa and Europe have enacted laws against this practice. Sierra Leone has signed conventions on the topic, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). However, no national law banning FGM has been implemented...... middle of paper ......ra Leone Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2010, Final Report, Freetown, Sierra Leone.Sagna, ML, 2014 Gender differences in support for ending female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone. Culture, Health and Sexuality, (April), pp.1–17.Sipsma, H.L. et al., 2012. Cutting of female genitalia: Current practices and beliefs in West Africa. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 90(2), pp.120–127F.UNHCR, 2007. Sierra Leone: The Influence of the Secret Societies, with particular reference to female genital mutilation, United Kingdom.UNICEF, 2013. Female genital mutilation /cut. A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change, New York. WHO, 2008. Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation: An interagency Statement, Geneva. WHO, 2010. Global Strategy to Stop Health Workers from Performing Female Genital Mutilation, Geneva.