We have roamed the city until reaching its outskirts passing the American Embassy and have arrived at British embassy housing to visit a companion.
Within the guarded gates, it looks like a neighborhood in middle class American – complete with side walks, paved streets and neatly kept lawns.
We engage the good doctor in my topic of discussion about FGM and gender inequality and he agrees that although women seem to be the backbone of the society, here they are severely marginalized.
He notes that tribes who engage this ritual are very strict. If a woman has not been circumcised then she is considered unfit for marriage.
What is fascinating however is that Krio women are highly sought after because they do not practice in female circumcision.
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On our way back to Signal hill a developing screnario forces an abrupt stop at the top of the street.
Q: What are they doing?”
A: (Lol) I think they are conducting an experiment.”
Q: Do something, We cannot drive through this!”
A: Well what would you suggest be done?”
Q: Can’t you go talk to them - get out the car and say something?”
Not knowing what I was supposed to say or do, I exited the car.
The children in the squatter camp next to us had taken all their shoes and lined them up width wise in the middle of the road.
Barefoot, they all squatted sidelined on the dirt road to see what would happen when the next car passed by.
After realizing this, I curious as well, lined up my shoes alongside theirs, and took the same position on the opposite side of the road.
Then urged my companions to go forth!
We screamed with excitement and I wondered who amongst them won that bet.
The shoes were spared; the line created was not wider than the dimension of the vehicle & had not crushed one pair.
Crossing the street the little scientists were asked if they would like their photo taken?
With all the excitement and curiosity of children, they gathered up immediately at shot poses.
When asked, “Do you want to see the photo?” I was nearly flattened in red clay dirt from the children rushing full speed.
They laughed, squealed and pointed at the excitement of seeing their digital photo.
Three days later again at the top of the street the printed photos were distributed to children, who were even more excited to see themselves on paper!
After that event, everyone wanted to be in pictures.
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N.B.
The majority of the children involved were female, mostly bright friendly and extremely inquisitive.
These girls would not only benefit from a formal education but they would excel if given the support.
Most of the boys their age have been sent off to school. In a situation where a choice has to be made about who receives schooling, this is typically the outcome
It is not difficult to discern which problems concern women in particular and those which affect human rights. Some will say that the two are synonymous.
The scope of these issues goes beyond equal rights but also involves the health issues of women in particular. Here maternal-mortality is one of the highest in the world.
University and High School students are often propositioned by professors for sexual favors. For these young women, declining such proposals can result in a failing grade.
Another leading issue in Sierra Leone is domestic violence against women.
Awareness has been increased with the usage of bulletins throughout the city encouraging people to report such acts of violence.
But reporting these crimes can also result in a consequence of its own according to locals.
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