FOR TOO LONG, the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Liberia has been shouldered mostly by international partners, with little financial support from the government itself While organizations like UN Women have shown commendable commitment through initiatives like the EU Spotlight Initiative. We believe it is time for the Liberian government to step up and take a more active role in eradicating this harmful practice.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF heritage centers in FGM-affected counties is a step in the right direction. These centers provide alternative livelihoods for traditional women, offering them a way out of the cycle of FGM practices. The positive impact of these centers is evident in the closure of bush schools and the abandonment of harmful rituals in several counties. It is heartening to see the traditional women of Bong County also taking the initiative in ending FGM, inspired by the progress made possible by these centers.
HOWEVER, SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS in ending FGM can only be achieved with sustained government involvement and investment. As CSOs and traditional leaders have echoed, the government of Liberia needs to prioritize the fight against FGM by dedicating resources to support initiatives that empower women, educate communities, and enforce laws against FGM practices.
WE BELIEVE IT is time for the Liberian government to join forces with international partners, civil society organizations, and local communities in the fight against FGM. With this, we are certain that the government can show its dedication to the health, well-being, and rights of all women and girls in Liberia.
MA. MASSAH KANDAKAI, the Head Zoe Of Montserrado County doesn’t seem ok with the recent trend the fight to end FGM in Liberia Is taking. She says her people are resolved to completely halt the practice of FGM but they are still lacking an alternative means of survival. Ma. Massah noted that ending FGM In Liberia will be difficult if the traditional women are not empowered.
“WE ARE DOING tailoring now at the place (Heritage Center) but it is not enough for everybody. They want empowerment, let the things come plenty but it’s not coming. The things are small and the people plenty. I want the government to help that everybody should get. I want be bringing them small small to be learning but I don’t have food for them. Some of the distance far, when I called them to come, la (it’s) carpay (transportation), sometimes I can pay their way (transport them) so it will be hard.”
SHE WANTS THE government to get involved to ensure that sufficient support is given to the women for alternative livelihood programs.
“Let the government help so this thing (FGM) can finish one time. Let the other people receive some. It’s good when the international people are doing the thing then the government too put it hand there, at least let the materials be plenty for everybody to learn to me it will be alright. Like the country cloth, we can get the old-ma them to be learning.
SHE CONTINUED, “THE bushes are plenty in Montserrado so some of them say the UN people never satisfied them. The people (Zoes) said the people (UN, government) need to satisfy them. The satisfy means if you tell somebody to leave this one(FGM), tell them to hold this one (Alternative livelihood program) (That’s what it means).”
AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT of our call for government financial intervention in ending FGM in Liberia, Chief Zanzan Karwor, the Chairperson of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia (NCCEL) noted that alternative livelihoods for traditional women remain the hold on to ending FGM in Liberia, as the women have given him the green light if they can be empowered after they shall have left the practice.
“THE THING IS in your hand, you build today, and they stop today. The other people say the people have their finished area (Alternative livelihood program). When they leave A (FGM) so they can take B (Alternative livelihood program) but how can we leave A (FGM) when we don’t have our finish area (Alternative livelihood program)?” he questioned the international partners saying the government also needs to intervene.
CONSISTENT WITG MA. Massah Kandakai, and Chief Zanzan Karwor’s comments, Ambassador Juli Endee, the Traditional Queen of the Republic of Liberia, has never held her opinion back on pointing out the intrinsic need for the government of Liberia to get involved with the strive to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in Liberia. She placed specific emphasis on financial support which is apt in providing alternative livelihoods and sustainability of the ban.
AMB. ENDEE, “IT’S the government’s responsibility to make sure we ban FGM. The government should support this financially, with resources so that we will be able to ban FGM. Partners are doing their part but the partners will leave so the sustainability aspect of banning FGM is key to this. When we spoke at the UN General Assembly, we said Liberia will be honest, and we will be able to do the banning of all FGM activities in Liberia by rituals.”
AS ONE OF those who have been working directly with traditional women through ongoing alternative livelihood programs,
Alfreda Foboi Nmah, the Executive Director of Helping Our People Excel (HOPE-Liberia) says the government’s financial intervention through alternative livelihood programs will significantly reflect on ending FGM as she acknowledged that the women have embraced the initiative.
ALFREDA: “WHE DONORS have initiated some projects for traditional leaders, there is still a long way to go. The government needs to take adequate steps and invest in these centers to ensure sustained progress and functionality. Without proper support, there won’t be any long-term progress. It’s important to have something sustainable for traditional practitioners so they can continue their work and leave a positive impact.”
SHE STRESSED, “FOR example, we have four centers that have been built. These centers are built with donors’ funds, they have a cut-off point. but if the government is not supportive there will only be a temporary remedy.” Alfred believes that for Liberia to end FGM, the government must take the lead in ensuring that the heritage centers are operational, especially now that the traditional women are willing to embrace livelihood skills and let go of the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
FOR US, WE believe that ending FGM is not just a moral imperative; it is a crucial step towards achieving gender equality and ensuring the dignity and rights of every individual in Liberian society. Therefore, we admonish the government that the time to act is now and they must prioritize the fight against FGM and invest in a future where women and girls are free from the shackles of this harmful practice.
