The Liberian government is facing mounting pressure to enact legislation criminalizing the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) throughout the nation. This urgent call to action was amplified during the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, a global event commemorated in Liberia at the Invisible Sports Park in Monrovia. The gathering drew together a diverse assembly of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, government representatives, civil society organizations, and activists, all united in their advocacy for the eradication of FGM. The central message, delivered by Ms. Comfort Lamptey, the UN Women Country Representative in Liberia, underscored the gravity of FGM as a severe human rights violation affecting millions globally. She relayed a message from the UN Secretary-General, emphasizing the urgency and feasibility of eradicating this harmful practice and called upon the Liberian government to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to protecting women and girls by enacting and enforcing a nationwide ban on FGM, holding perpetrators accountable under the law.
FGM, a procedure involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, continues to be prevalent in various regions of Liberia, particularly in rural communities. Despite concerted efforts by numerous organizations to raise awareness and combat the practice, it remains deeply entrenched in cultural traditions, posing a significant challenge to eradication efforts. Ms. Lamptey expressed hope that the Liberian government would swiftly pass the necessary legislation to align the country with international commitments to gender equality and human rights. This appeal reflects the broader efforts of the United Nations to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence worldwide. While advocacy groups continue to exert pressure on the government for decisive action, Liberian lawmakers have yet to publicly address the proposed legislation, leaving the future of the ban uncertain.
The UN Women Country Representative also directed her message to traditional leaders, urging them to uphold their commitments to abandoning FGM, emphasizing that cultural practices should evolve to reflect the best values of society. She framed the protection of girls not as a rejection of tradition, but as an affirmation of their value and a testament to a Liberia that prioritizes life, dignity, and progress. This appeal recognizes the significant influence of traditional leaders within their communities and the crucial role they play in driving social change. Shifting cultural norms requires engaging with those who uphold and transmit them, and traditional leaders are key to facilitating this transformation.
Massa Knadakai, the Head of traditional women in Montserrado County, voiced a plea for support from UN Women, specifically requesting assistance in providing educational opportunities for their children. She highlighted the importance of empowering women with vocational skills, such as tailoring and other crafts, to enable them to support their families financially without resorting to FGM. This request underscores the interconnectedness of economic empowerment and the eradication of harmful practices. By providing women with alternative income-generating opportunities, the economic incentives that often perpetuate FGM can be effectively addressed. Ms. Knadakai’s statement – “With these skills, we can survive and ensure that we no longer need to send our daughters back into the bush to continue FGM” – powerfully articulates the link between economic vulnerability and the perpetuation of this practice.
While Liberia has made commendable strides in addressing FGM, evident in recent legislative efforts to ban the practice, significant obstacles remain. The deep-rooted nature of FGM within cultural traditions, particularly in rural areas, poses a persistent challenge. The continued advocacy of organizations like UN Women, coupled with the engagement of traditional leaders and the empowerment of women, are crucial to overcoming these challenges and ultimately eradicating FGM. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing global struggle against gender-based violence and the shared responsibility to end this harmful practice worldwide. It highlights the importance of continued dialogue, legislative action, and community-based interventions to protect the rights of women and girls and ensure a future free from FGM.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to protect the rights of women and girls and ensure a future free from FGM and other harmful practices. This collective resolve underscores the understanding that eradicating FGM requires a multifaceted approach, involving legal reforms, community engagement, education, and economic empowerment. The call for legislative action, coupled with the emphasis on shifting cultural norms and empowering women economically, represents a holistic strategy to address this complex issue. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM serves not only as a reminder of the challenges ahead but also as a platform to mobilize collective action and accelerate progress towards a world where all women and girls are free from violence and harmful practices.
