-Rallies Gov’t to act swiftly
Monrovia, Liberia – The National Coalition Against Harmful Practices (NACAPH) says it is alarmed by reports indicating a widespread resurgence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) activities in various regions of Liberia.
Like many know, NACAPH recognizes that his troubling trend contradicts the three-year moratorium issued nearly three years ago and the complete ban of the practice implemented over a year ago by the Government of Liberia through the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia (NACCEL). It states in a recent release, “The revival of FGM is a significant setback for the tireless efforts of both national and international partners dedicated to protecting the rights of women and girls in Liberia.”
NACAPH emphasizes that these efforts align with commitments made under key human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. (CEDAW)
“It is deplorable and deeply concerning for our people, especially traditional women, to revert to the past by initiating women and girls into FGM practices,” said Marain G. Deah, a representative of NACAPH. “Our national efforts to end this practice have been celebrated both domestically and internationally.”
NACAPH is calling on the Government of Liberia, through its various agencies including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights of Liberia, (INCHR) to act swiftly against the resurgence of FGM.
“We urge these entities to ensure the immediate release of women and girls who have fallen victim to recent initiation efforts and to hold accountable those perpetuating these harmful practices.”
Furthermore, NACAPH encourages the Government of Liberia and all stakeholders, including local advocacy groups, international partners, and members of NACAPH, to mobilize resources and support initiatives aimed at eradicating FGM activities in the country. Our collective responsibility, nationally and internationally, is to champion the rights of women and girls at all times.
NACAPH is a membership-based coalition comprising over 17 human rights defender organizations committed to addressing various human rights issues, including Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C). We stand united in our mission to uphold and protect the rights of women and girls in Liberia.
Mid this week, this paper reported the resurgence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Yarmie Administrative District, Nimba County, as traditional women continue to practice this harmful ritual. This development follows the recent release of over thirty females, including minors and teenagers, from the Zenah Hill Sande Society School in Weala, Margibi County. Like Zenah Hill, Gbliyee Town has seemingly reintroduced the traditional practice. Undoubtedly, this defies ongoing efforts by the government and various organizations to eradicate FGM that aims to uphold the dignity of women and girls.
Earlier this year, Liberia witnessed traditional practitioners across the country, including those in Nimba County, surrendering their FGM tools to Chief Zanzan Karwor, the former Chairperson of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia. This act was intended to signal a collective commitment to ending the practice. Through the EU Spotlight Initiative, heritage centers (Alternative livelihoods) were built in Nomba and three (Lofa, Cape Mount, and Montserrado counties) of the (11) eleven FGM counties to help get the traditional women off the bushes.
However, in less than a year, reports indicate that some traditional women in Nimba County, particularly in Gbliyee Town, have resumed the dangerous tradition, putting women and girls at risk once again. The recent ceremonies held on September 14 and 15, 2024, in Gbliyee Town, District 3, were marked by a celebratory atmosphere as parents joyfully welcomed their children back from the traditional bush school.
The event saw traditional women parading the unveiled girls and young women, presenting them to their families and allowing them to reintegrate into society and resume their education. Parents, especially mothers, were seen expressing their joy and relief as they greeted their children, who had completed their time in the Sande Bush and graduated from the traditional school.
It is believed that FGM makes them (women) full members of the Sande society, becoming very respectful in their communities of tradition. The ceremony marked a moment of celebration and transformation in the lives of the newborn traditional practitioners, women, and young girls, dressed up in their befitting outfits, dancing, and singing as they faced a ‘new way of life’ in their livelihoods. Traditional practitioners from various villages and neighboring towns gathered in Gbliyee Town over the weekend in respect of the harmful and controversial FGM practice.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the head of traditional women in Gbliyee Town whose name was undisclosed said she including her women considered the importance of FGM banning in the country, but they deem it prudent to respect their tradition and culture. “Our big-big people asked us to stop and we agreed to… Again our tradition must be respected” she stated. Permanently, according to her, FGM will not end because of its values, thus preparing women to face the future that lies ahead in their matrimonial home to respect their male partners.
She further highlighted the harmful impact but maintained that the practice will continue to go on as tradition mandates. “We feel the pain but that is the tradition” the Gbliyee traditional women’s head noted. For their part, citizens and residents of Gbliyee Town have condemned the banning of Female Gentile Mutilation, a practice they claimed is very important to them.
Sande Society is a traditional school that initiates young girls and women into adulthood by performing traditional rituals including female genital mutilation (FGM). In Gbliyee Town, citizens have had no idea that FGM is a violation of the fundamental human rights of women and girls, unaware of the consequences and complications associated with FGM, which include severe pain, excessive bleeding, infection, infertility, increased risk of HIV transmission, and even death.
