Written and produced by Marian Bangura.
Marian Amaria Bangura is a multimedia journalist, currently working with the Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV) and as a freelance reporter in Sierra Leone. She is passionate about storytelling, and has a keen interest in investigative journalism, human rights and accountability reporting.
“My story is about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the myths and perceptions that surround it. FGM is a long sacred practice in our societies, and as such many people carry several unproven beliefs and perceptions about it and its effect on women and girls. Some of the beliefs in my film now stand as existing forms of discrimination to certain women, and over time this has given rise to the demand for the practice to be stopped as a violation of human rights, whilst there are other people who are proud of FGM and want the culture to be maintained. My story aims to present the facts and provide some answers to the many perceptions and beliefs.”