By Grace Q. Bryant
(from Lofa)
The UN Women in support of the Government of Liberia and National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia (NACCEL), with funding from the Swedish Government, has banned the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Lofa County.
The pronouncement, which was made during the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM while dedicating the Lofa Vocational and Heritage Center in Vezela Town, Voinjama District, Lofa County yesterday, brought to five, namely, Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Cape Mount, and Lofa, counties that have so far abolished the practice.
Held under the theme, “Her Voice. Her Future. Investing In Survivors-Led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation,” the program was marked by cultural performances, including dancing, singing, and sharing experiences with traditional tools, as well as the turning over of traditional tools to Chief Zanzar Karwor.
In his opening remarks, the Ministry of Internal Affairs Senior Liaison Officer, Ishmael Walker, said the Ministry remains committed to all other documents signed by the traditional people on the practice of Sande.
“We want to appeal to our partners to extend their support to the other counties still upholding this practice so that they will totally be involved in the process,” he noted.
UN Women Country Representative, Comfort Lamptey, reaffirmed the partners’ dedication to the girls and women who have been subjected to the grave violation of human rights.
According to her, every survivor’s voice is a call to action and every choice made in reclaiming their lives contributes to the global movement to end the harmful practice.
“More than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone Female Genital Mutilation. This year, nearly 4.4 million girls will be at risk of this harmful practice. This equates to more than 12,000 cases every day,” Madam Lamptey disclosed.
Madam Lamptey noted that in keeping with commitments outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action during the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, Generation Equality and other normative frameworks, including the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the convention on the Rights of the Child and their general recommendations, as well as sustainable development goal target 5.3, “we reiterate our commitment to prevent and respond to this harmful practice against women and girls.”
She stated further that Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of women and girls’ rights; one that endangers their physical and mental health and limits their potential to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
“It increases their risk of serious pain, bleeding and infections, and the likelihood of other health complications later in life, including risks during childbirth, which can imperil the lives of their newborns,” she added.
She noted, “We must amplify the voices of survivors to raise awareness and inspire collective action and promote their power and autonomy by ensuring they have an active role in prevention and response interventions.”
She explained that survivors must have first-hand knowledge of the challenges they faced and the tools needed to eliminate the practice.
Madam Lamptey added that it is crucial that they invest in survivor-led movements, especially at the grassroots level, by dedicating resources that will advance their efforts.
“We also must ensure that comprehensive and culturally sensitive services are available and accessible. This includes strengthening the provision of health care and social legal services to support survivors,” she revealed.
She pointed out, “UNFPA and UNICEF Liberia as lead agencies of the Global Joint Program on Eliminating FGM, OHCHR, UN Women and WHO, and other United Nations entities, remain steadfast in partnering with survivors as community champions and leaders and ensuring their voices and perspectives are programmed to prevent and respond to FGM.”
On February 6, 2023, at the celebration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM in Sonkay Town, Montserrado County, the National Council of Chief Elders of Liberia announced a ban on FGM practices in Liberia.
Since then, traditional ceremonies aimed at enforcing the ban in all eleven FGM practice counties in Liberia have been ongoing, and the event in Vezela, Lofa County, marks the 5th ceremony.
