In Liberia, as in many parts of Africa, cultural traditions run deep. However, the persistence of female genital mutilation (FGM) highlights the urgent need to distinguish between cultural heritage and harmful practices. Despite international efforts to eradicate FGM, progress has been slow, often hindered by perceptions of these initiatives as foreign agendas. Yet, voices within Liberia, including those of survivors like Honorable Mioma Briggs-Mensah, are challenging this narrative and calling for decisive local action.
On this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, Representative Briggs-Mensah, a survivor herself, passionately argued that ending FGM is not merely a Western imposition but a necessary step for protecting the rights and futures of Liberian girls. Her testimony and advocacy underscore the profound physical and emotional scars FGM leaves behind, making it clear that this practice is a violation of human rights, not a cultural rite of passage.
Despite a permanent ban announced in 2022 by the National Council of Chiefs and Elders, FGM remains prevalent in Liberia. The slow legislative progress on the Anti-FGM Bill and limited enforcement of the ban reveal a gap between policy and practice. As emphasized by Madam Comfort Lamptey from UN Women and Liberia’s Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie, the time to act is now. Complacency must not overshadow the progress made.
Empowering former practitioners is a crucial step forward. Providing alternative livelihoods through skills training can prevent the resurgence of FGM by offering economic stability to those who once performed the practice. Additionally, comprehensive education and community engagement are essential to change perceptions and dismantle harmful cultural norms.
International support remains vital, but the drive to end FGM must be locally led. As Sweden’s Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Karl Backéus, rightly pointed out, protecting girls is an affirmation of their value and dignity. Liberia’s commitment to ending FGM, reaffirmed during the Generation Equality Forum, must translate into concrete legislative and community action.
The call to action is clear: Liberia must prioritize the passage of the Anti-FGM Bill and implement robust strategies to eradicate this practice. By doing so, the nation can honor its cultural heritage while ensuring the safety and dignity of its girls and women. The theme of this year’s observance, ‘Her Voice, Her Future: Let’s Act Now by Ending FGM and Preserving Our Heritage,’ serves as a powerful reminder that the future lies in protecting and empowering all Liberians.
