The recent graduation of over 500 girls from a Sande bush school in Konia, Lofa County, has reignited a national reckoning—one that Liberia can no longer afford to postpone. While the Sande society has long been revered as a cultural cornerstone, its continued association with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) places the nation at a moral and legal crossroads.
The Liberia Feminists Coalition, representing five leading advocacy organizations, has rightly called for urgent legislative action to criminalize FGM nationwide. Their demand is not an attack on culture—it is a defense of life, dignity, and the rights of Liberian girls. The truth is stark: FGM is internationally recognized as a form of gender-based violence. It has no medical benefit, inflicts lifelong trauma, and violates every principle of bodily autonomy and human rights.
Liberia’s 2023 moratorium on FGM, declared by the National Council of Chiefs and Elders, was a step forward. But without a binding law, enforcement remains weak, and perpetrators continue to operate with impunity. The Konia incident is a painful reminder that tradition, when left unchecked by law, can become a shield for abuse.
The suspension of Paramount Chief James Tarnue and Clan Chief Bigboy Kokulo by the Ministry of Internal Affairs is a commendable move. It signals that no one—regardless of title or tradition—is above the law. But accountability must go further. The government must launch a full investigation into the Sande activities in Lofa County and prosecute those who violate the moratorium. More importantly, it must pass comprehensive legislation that criminalizes FGM with clear penalties and enforcement mechanisms.
To our traditional leaders and cultural advocates: the time has come to rethink what it means to preserve culture. The Sande society need not be dismantled—but it must be reformed. Alternative rites of passage that celebrate womanhood without physical harm are not only possible—they are necessary. Across Africa, countries like Senegal, Kenya, and Burkina Faso have successfully transitioned away from FGM while preserving cultural identity. Liberia can do the same.
To parents and elders: protecting your daughters does not mean abandoning your heritage. It means evolving it. FGM leads to infection, childbirth complications, and psychological trauma. These are not the marks of empowerment—they are scars of silence.
To lawmakers: the world is watching. Liberia cannot claim to champion gender equality while avoiding the hard decisions that protect its girls. Over 40 African nations have criminalized FGM. Liberia must join them—not just in policy, but in principle.
Culture is not static. It is a living reflection of our values. If we truly value our daughters, then our culture must evolve to honor them—not harm them.
Let this moment be a turning point. Let Liberia lead—not lag—in the fight to end FGM. Let us build a future where tradition uplifts, and never endangers.
