Alimatu Dimonekene MBE

CEO @agirlatatime - Advocate for Women & Girls Rights, FGM Consultant, @OpEd Public Voices Fellow, Trustee @LearnBritain @Afruca, 📩[email protected]

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

The First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio publicly seen here over the weekend defending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) we all know this has been banned worldwide while receiving international support for programmes on girls’ rights and ending child marriage is deeply alarming. In fact if appears she was mocking those speaking against this awful abuse on the bodies of women and girls.

UK taxpayers’ money through development funding must not be used to sanitise or indirectly support political narratives that normalise violence against girls. FGM is not culture when girls suffer lifelong physical and psychological harm.

I urge @OAFLAD @FCDOGovUK @GirlsNotBrides international partners to review how funding and partnerships are being used in Sierra Leone and ensure accountability, safeguarding, and consistency on the rights of women and girls.

Girls cannot be protected from child marriage while their bodily autonomy is simultaneously violated through FGM.

As a campaigner and survivor I would like to bring this matter to the public. Are we now ok with this behavior to a woman heavily funded for programs to end Child Marriage as she claims?

@UN_Women
@UNFPA
@UNICEF
@equalitynow
@TheGirlGen
@OrchidProject
@ActionAid
@ActionAid
@Irish_Aid
@amnesty
@TheFiveFound
@hrw
@PlanUK
@SafeHands4Girls
@TheVavengers
@GlobalSpotlight
@unfpachief
@NimkoAli
@MerckFoundation
@AU_WGYD
@EUatUN
@commonwealthsec
@DavidLammy
@KemiBadenoch
@jessphillips
@SarahChampionMP
@PreetKGillMP
@UKParliament
@BBCAfrica
@SkyNews
@AJIunit
@cathynewman
@lfeatherstone
@HelenaKennedyKC
@RobertJenrick
@jpVAWdata

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

I believe the group is also linked to Sierra Leone and its First Lady hosted an event with similar sentiments around family values especially a roll back on womens rights

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@NimkoAli @TracyEdwardsMBE @kimwillsher1 You are such an inspiration and badass Shero

[Nimco Ali (OBE) @NimkoAli]

@TracyEdwardsMBE @kimwillsher1 It gets me in trouble but it needs to be done. 🖤

[Tracy Edwards @TracyEdwardsMBE]

@NimkoAli @kimwillsher1 Women speaking up always will x

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@VickieRemoe @IdrisElba Awww my 4 year old granddaughter at the time asked my the same when I got my MBE if it means I’m a bodyguard ..

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

Please be advised NOT fall for misinformation.

Contrary to what some individuals are claiming, Sierra Leone does not currently have a specific law that criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

We have asked the Attorney General and Minister of Justice @sesayalpha to clarify this to the public.

The Child Rights Act 2025 contains important protections for children, but it does not include a standalone provision that explicitly criminalizes FGM or states that a girl must be 18 years old to undergo FGM. This has been publicly acknowledged and debated by lawmakers, human rights organizations, and women’s rights advocates.

In fact, following the passage of the Child Rights Act 2025, the Parliament of Sierra Leone issued a public statement clarifying that the Act does not contain any provision imposing a fine, penalty, or punishment specifically addressing FGM. This was in response to widespread reports suggesting that FGM had been banned under the new law.

The reality is that many national and international organizations, including the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, have since called on the Government to amend the Child Rights Act to explicitly criminalize FGM, precisely because the current legislation does not do so.

Furthermore, the ECOWAS Court ruled in 2025 that Sierra Leone had failed in its obligation to criminalize FGM and called on the State to enact legislation prohibiting the practice. The Court’s ruling itself demonstrates that no such specific anti-FGM law currently exists.

As advocates, we must remain committed to facts. Supporting the rights, health, and safety of women and girls requires honesty about the current legal framework. While many of us continue to campaign for legislation that will finally outlaw FGM, it is inaccurate to claim that Sierra Leone already has a law stating that FGM is legal only from the age of 18, or that the Child Rights Act 2025 specifically bans FGM.

The fight to end FGM is too important to be undermined by misinformation.

Let us focus on advocating for a clear, enforceable law that protects every girl from this harmful practice, regardless of age.

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

The First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio publicly seen here over the weekend defending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) we all know this has been banned worldwide while receiving international support for programmes on girls’ rights and ending child marriage is deeply alarming. In fact if appears she was mocking those speaking against this awful abuse on the bodies of women and girls.

UK taxpayers’ money through development funding must not be used to sanitise or indirectly support political narratives that normalise violence against girls. FGM is not culture when girls suffer lifelong physical and psychological harm.

I urge @OAFLAD @FCDOGovUK @GirlsNotBrides international partners to review how funding and partnerships are being used in Sierra Leone and ensure accountability, safeguarding, and consistency on the rights of women and girls.

Girls cannot be protected from child marriage while their bodily autonomy is simultaneously violated through FGM.

As a campaigner and survivor I would like to bring this matter to the public. Are we now ok with this behavior to a woman heavily funded for programs to end Child Marriage as she claims?

@UN_Women
@UNFPA
@UNICEF
@equalitynow
@TheGirlGen
@OrchidProject
@ActionAid
@ActionAid
@Irish_Aid
@amnesty
@TheFiveFound
@hrw
@PlanUK
@SafeHands4Girls
@TheVavengers
@GlobalSpotlight
@unfpachief
@NimkoAli
@MerckFoundation
@AU_WGYD
@EUatUN
@commonwealthsec
@DavidLammy
@KemiBadenoch
@jessphillips
@SarahChampionMP
@PreetKGillMP
@UKParliament
@BBCAfrica
@SkyNews
@AJIunit
@cathynewman
@lfeatherstone
@HelenaKennedyKC
@RobertJenrick
@jpVAWdata

[IHRDA @IHRDAfrica]

On 8 July 2025, the @ecowascourt of Justice found the Government of Sierra Leone in violation of its fundamental duty to protect #women and #girls from female genital mutilation (FGM).

In Sierra Leone, #FGM remains deeply entrenched as part of initiation into societies such as the Bondo, where girls are taken into the bush, instructed in customs, and subjected to cutting as a rite of passage into adulthood.

Having found Sierra Leone responsible for violations related to FGM, the Court ordered the State to take concrete corrective measures. Sierra Leone is now required to enact and implement legislation criminalising FGM, adopt measures to prevent the practice and #protect women and girls from harm, and ensure effective investigations and accountability for perpetrators.

Read more: https://t.co/qnYzdMdGmh

@IHRDAfrica has also launched its monthly newsletter, The IHRDA Dispatch, featuring highlights of our key activities, a round-up of African human rights developments, case spotlights from litigation we have undertaken, and much more.

Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://t.co/BybYxZciy4

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@agirlatatime @VickieRemoe @VRCMarketingCo1 Indeed we call her the Woman with the Midas Touch .

[AGirlAtATime (SL) @agirlatatime]

@VickieRemoe Especially when the company @VRCMarketingCo1 is helping British Citizens like our founder @TheAlima and her work to end FGM in the U.K. we hope it happens .

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@dsengeh @NimkoAli Would like to recommend @ShwenShwenbyM if you are here longer

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@Gillsworthy Mugabe

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

The First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio publicly seen here over the weekend defending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) we all know this has been banned worldwide while receiving international support for programmes on girls’ rights and ending child marriage is deeply alarming. In fact if appears she was mocking those speaking against this awful abuse on the bodies of women and girls.

UK taxpayers’ money through development funding must not be used to sanitise or indirectly support political narratives that normalise violence against girls. FGM is not culture when girls suffer lifelong physical and psychological harm.

I urge @OAFLAD @FCDOGovUK @GirlsNotBrides international partners to review how funding and partnerships are being used in Sierra Leone and ensure accountability, safeguarding, and consistency on the rights of women and girls.

Girls cannot be protected from child marriage while their bodily autonomy is simultaneously violated through FGM.

As a campaigner and survivor I would like to bring this matter to the public. Are we now ok with this behavior to a woman heavily funded for programs to end Child Marriage as she claims?

@UN_Women
@UNFPA
@UNICEF
@equalitynow
@TheGirlGen
@OrchidProject
@ActionAid
@ActionAid
@Irish_Aid
@amnesty
@TheFiveFound
@hrw
@PlanUK
@SafeHands4Girls
@TheVavengers
@GlobalSpotlight
@unfpachief
@NimkoAli
@MerckFoundation
@AU_WGYD
@EUatUN
@commonwealthsec
@DavidLammy
@KemiBadenoch
@jessphillips
@SarahChampionMP
@PreetKGillMP
@UKParliament
@BBCAfrica
@SkyNews
@AJIunit
@cathynewman
@lfeatherstone
@HelenaKennedyKC
@RobertJenrick
@jpVAWdata

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@JustMeBeingMe4 Tone deaf to the misery of other women .

[Laura Richards BSc MSc MBPsS @thecrimeanalyst]

Turning r@pe victims away? WTF.
It’s important to take statements from EVERY victim. The whole picture is important for the investigation, charging and sentencing as well as risk assessment, management and diagnosis when in prison. As the former head of the Sexual Offences Section at New Scotland Yard, this is absolutely horrifying.

This is what I mean by the system enabling male perpetrators @laurarichards99

[John Lahai 🇸🇱 🇬🇧 @jlahai]

@toubuya Very bad PR for SL. Housing is a big issue in the UK. Reform UK are using this story to promote anti-immigrant narrative.

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

https://t.co/Yi6e5zhf3t

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

Also survivors and Anti-FGM campaigners and survivors in Sierra Leone are still waiting to hear from UK-funded programmes and organisations working to end FGM, including @comicrelief and @FCDOGovUK, @actionaidsl5 @PlanSierraLeone etc following the recent public statements by Sierra Leone’s First Lady appearing to endorse Bondo/Sande structures associated with the cutting of girls and women.

Given the significant investment in women’s and girls’ rights programmes in Sierra Leone, many survivors and activists are asking whether these partners will clarify their position and reaffirm their commitment to ending FGM and protecting girls from harm.

Silence at moments like this is deeply concerning for survivors who continue to face threats, ridicule, and intimidation for speaking out.

Girls in Sierra Leone deserve clear, consistent, and courageous leadership against all forms of violence and harmful practices.

#EndFGM
#ProtectGirls
#SierraLeone
#WomensRights

#MenstruationHygieneDay

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

The First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio publicly seen here over the weekend defending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) we all know this has been banned worldwide while receiving international support for programmes on girls’ rights and ending child marriage is deeply alarming. In fact if appears she was mocking those speaking against this awful abuse on the bodies of women and girls.

UK taxpayers’ money through development funding must not be used to sanitise or indirectly support political narratives that normalise violence against girls. FGM is not culture when girls suffer lifelong physical and psychological harm.

I urge @OAFLAD @FCDOGovUK @GirlsNotBrides international partners to review how funding and partnerships are being used in Sierra Leone and ensure accountability, safeguarding, and consistency on the rights of women and girls.

Girls cannot be protected from child marriage while their bodily autonomy is simultaneously violated through FGM.

As a campaigner and survivor I would like to bring this matter to the public. Are we now ok with this behavior to a woman heavily funded for programs to end Child Marriage as she claims?

@UN_Women
@UNFPA
@UNICEF
@equalitynow
@TheGirlGen
@OrchidProject
@ActionAid
@ActionAid
@Irish_Aid
@amnesty
@TheFiveFound
@hrw
@PlanUK
@SafeHands4Girls
@TheVavengers
@GlobalSpotlight
@unfpachief
@NimkoAli
@MerckFoundation
@AU_WGYD
@EUatUN
@commonwealthsec
@DavidLammy
@KemiBadenoch
@jessphillips
@SarahChampionMP
@PreetKGillMP
@UKParliament
@BBCAfrica
@SkyNews
@AJIunit
@cathynewman
@lfeatherstone
@HelenaKennedyKC
@RobertJenrick
@jpVAWdata

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@unwomenchief @UN_Women @UNWOMEN_SL Dear Executive Director Sima Bahous, survivors and anti-FGM activists in Sierra Leone are calling for clarity following public comments and appearances by Sierra Leone’s First Lady appearing to support Bondo/Sande structures associated with FGM.

At a time when women’s rights organisations and international partners are investing heavily in ending violence against women and girls, silence sends a painful message to survivors who are already facing threats and intimidation for speaking out.

We urge UN Women to reaffirm its commitment to protecting girls from FGM and all harmful practices without ambiguity.

#EndFGM
#ProtectGirls
#SierraLeone
#WomensRights

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

The First Lady of Sierra Leone Fatima Bio publicly seen here over the weekend defending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) we all know this has been banned worldwide while receiving international support for programmes on girls’ rights and ending child marriage is deeply alarming. In fact if appears she was mocking those speaking against this awful abuse on the bodies of women and girls.

UK taxpayers’ money through development funding must not be used to sanitise or indirectly support political narratives that normalise violence against girls. FGM is not culture when girls suffer lifelong physical and psychological harm.

I urge @OAFLAD @FCDOGovUK @GirlsNotBrides international partners to review how funding and partnerships are being used in Sierra Leone and ensure accountability, safeguarding, and consistency on the rights of women and girls.

Girls cannot be protected from child marriage while their bodily autonomy is simultaneously violated through FGM.

As a campaigner and survivor I would like to bring this matter to the public. Are we now ok with this behavior to a woman heavily funded for programs to end Child Marriage as she claims?

@UN_Women
@UNFPA
@UNICEF
@equalitynow
@TheGirlGen
@OrchidProject
@ActionAid
@ActionAid
@Irish_Aid
@amnesty
@TheFiveFound
@hrw
@PlanUK
@SafeHands4Girls
@TheVavengers
@GlobalSpotlight
@unfpachief
@NimkoAli
@MerckFoundation
@AU_WGYD
@EUatUN
@commonwealthsec
@DavidLammy
@KemiBadenoch
@jessphillips
@SarahChampionMP
@PreetKGillMP
@UKParliament
@BBCAfrica
@SkyNews
@AJIunit
@cathynewman
@lfeatherstone
@HelenaKennedyKC
@RobertJenrick
@jpVAWdata

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@GlobalSpotlight - Can you provide us with a response thanks https://t.co/ggFJRwVgTZ

[Sallu kamuskay @SalluKamuskay]

Mrs. Sally Ndimawa Adams, President of @womensforumsle, has urged over 20 CSO reps in #Moyamba to take the @GlobalSpotlight.2.0 training seriously, calling on them to lead change in the fight against violence against women & girls.

This action is jointly implemented by @UNWOMEN_SL and WFSL

[🌞(((CazzPink)))🌞 @CazzPink]

@TheAlima I know.
They must be made to listen!

[Alimatu Dimonekene MBE @TheAlima]

@CazzPink No she is not. We’ve been saying this but no one is listening.