OVER THE WEEKEND, Liberians witnessed a troubling development that we believe demands immediate attention and decisive action from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP). The release of over thirty females, including minors and teenagers, who underwent the controversial and harmful rite of female genital mutilation (FGM), points to the urgent need for a thorough investigation and a robust response to prevent such practices from recurring.
FGM IS NOT merely a cultural practice; it is a violation of human rights that poses significant health risks and psychological trauma to those subjected to it. The World Health Organization has classified FGM as a harmful practice with no medical benefits, and its perpetuation undermines the very foundation of gender equality and women’s rights. In Liberia, where FGM is still practiced in some communities, the need for a comprehensive approach to combat this issue has never been more pressing.
WE ARE FULLY aware that the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia, alongside the Government of Liberia, proclaimed a permanent ban on FGM in February 2022, and this decision was hailed by local and international human rights organizations. Yet today, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. Regrettably, for the graduation in Weala, sources say it was the third batch of participants.
WE BELIEVE IT raises critical questions about the enforcement of the permanent ban as well as other laws designed to protect them. The MGCSP must take swift and effective action to probe the circumstances surrounding their release. Were these individuals coerced into undergoing FGM? Were they given adequate support and resources to make informed decisions about their bodies? The answers to these questions are vital in understanding the broader implications of this incident and ensuring accountability for those who perpetuate such harmful practices.
IN RESPONSE TO the recent situation in Margibi, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) said it is aware of the matter and currently soliciting the needed details which will be followed by consultations with stakeholders and later actions if required.
Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Gender, Ms. Laura Golakeh informed this paper mid-Sunday: “All I can say is that we are trying to gather information. We have our local office in Margibi, and we also have a gender-based observatory group actively engaged in the communities. They are responsible for reporting incidents like these to us. Additionally, we are reaching out to the Peace Hut women to ensure we are collecting enough information.”
WE BELIEVE THAT this is weak and the Ministry should be ahead of this by this time.
Moreover, the MGCSP must not only focus on the investigation but also prioritize preventive measures that serve as a deterrent against future occurrences of FGM.
ARTICLE V (ELIMINATION OF HARMFUL PRACTICES) of the Maputo Protocol discourages harmful traditional practices and urges governments to prohibit and condemn all forms of harmful practices that negatively affect women’s human rights and are contrary to recognized international standards. “State Parties shall prohibit and condemn all forms of harmful practices that negatively affect the human rights of women and are contrary to recognized international standards.”
THE PROTOCOL PROVIDES that state parties shall take all necessary legislative and other measures to eliminate such practices. “Including a) the creation of public awareness in all sectors of society regarding harmful practices through information, formal and informal education, and outreach programs; b) the prohibition, through legislative measures backed by sanctions, of all forms of female genital mutilation, scarification, medicalization and para-medicalization of female genital mutilation, and all other practices.
LIBERIA SIGNALED ITS commitment to ending FGM during the global convening of world leaders and women’s rights activists at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris in 2021, where Liberia pledged to pursue efforts to end gender-based violence and became a signatory to the collective commitment to eradicating harmful practices, including FGM. Liberia remains one of the three West African countries without a law criminalizing FGM, despite having signed and ratified regional and international human rights instruments condemning the practice as a human rights violation, including the Maputo Protocol.
THE FGM BILL before the national legislature is titled ‘Act Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation of 2022.’ This bill has been in the legislature for years and we believe it needs to be acted upon. The Ministry should advocate for the passage of this bill and enforcement of the ban that was placed on FGM by the Traditional Council of Liberia.
THE MGCSP SHOULD collaborate with non-governmental organizations and international bodies focused on human rights and gender equality to enhance resources and expertise in combatting FGM. Moreover, we believe that Implementing a robust monitoring system to track cases of FGM and the effectiveness of interventions will help in assessing progress and making necessary adjustments to strategies.
