Traditional women urge GOL, UN Women for economic support to end FGM

Monrovia – Zoes, chiefs, women, and other local leaders are calling on UN Women and the Government of Liberia (GOL) to provide economic, technical, and educational support as part of efforts to permanently end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across the country.

The appeal was made at a special program marking the observance of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, held in Monrovia on February 6, 2025. The event was celebrated under the theme: “Initiation Without Mutilation.”

Speaking on behalf of traditional women during the program, Madam Massa Kandakai, Chief Zoe for Montserrado County Traditional Women, acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the government and its international partners, including UN Women, to eradicate FGM in Liberia. However, she emphasized the need for government and UN Women to address the economic and social challenges faced by communities that have long practiced FGM.

“The government has asked us to stop FGM, but we—the women, girls, and our children—need support. UN Women must also help us,” Madam Kandakai stated.

She noted that many children in rural villages lack access to education and are not being taught about the dangers of FGM. She also pointed out that in some areas where schools exist, teachers are not receiving salaries, which has negatively impacted students’ learning.

Madam Kandakai further highlighted the lack of safe drinking water, technical and vocational training, and access to village savings and loan programs. She stressed that such initiatives are essential for empowering women and girls, providing alternative livelihoods, and ensuring economic self-sufficiency.

She urged the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and international partners to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to eliminate FGM in Liberia.

Legislative Push for FGM Ban

Also speaking at the event, Bong County Electoral District #6 Representative Moima Briggs Mensah stressed that banning FGM requires concrete actions to protect women and girls. She called for the immediate closure of traditional schools that continue to practice FGM.

“I am a mother of seven girls, but I will not initiate any of them despite my authority over them,” she asserted.

She criticized political leaders for failing to take decisive action against FGM due to political considerations, arguing that their inaction places women and girls at risk.

Representative Mensah called on the government to allocate budgetary support for women and girls, empowering them through vocational and technical education programs.

“The next celebration should witness the passage of a bill to outlaw FGM. We need to create awareness and educate women and girls about this harmful practice,” she added.

She emphasized that the fight against FGM should not be driven solely by international pressure but should be a national priority, given its deep-rooted cultural significance in Liberia.

UN Women Calls for Stronger Action

Meanwhile, UN Women Country Representative Madam Comfort Lamptey, speaking on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, described FGM as a “vicious human rights violation” that must be urgently eradicated.

“As this year’s theme reminds us, we are making progress, but we must pick up the pace,” she stated. “We must strengthen global movements to break down harmful attitudes, beliefs, and gender stereotypes.”

Madam Lamptey underscored the importance of fostering strong partnerships between governments, grassroots organizations, and survivors to accelerate efforts to eliminate FGM by 2030.

She reminded the government that in 2015, UN member states committed to eliminating FGM under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She also acknowledged past efforts to ban the practice in Liberia, including the development of the Anti-FGM Bill, which is yet to be passed into law.

Expressing optimism, Madam Lamptey welcomed the Liberian government’s commitment to ending FGM through alternative economic livelihood programs and legislative measures. She called for the swift enactment of the Anti-FGM Law to ensure the complete abolishment of the practice in Liberia.