Monrovia – On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the government of Liberia, United Nations (UN) and civil society call for stronger actions to end the harmful practice of FGM and to address its impact on the well-being of women and girls in Liberia.
Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of the human rights of women and girls and denies their dignity, endangers their health and causes needless pain and suffering.
The practice also leads to girls dropping out of school, teenage pregnancy and complications for child bearing.
A 2016 survey by the National Working Group Against FGM shows that in Liberia, 40 percent of girls of school-going-age have suffered the practice.
Globally, an estimated 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM.
Though some progress has been made in Liberia, including the recent Executive Order which bans FGM, the practice is widespread and much more still needs to be done–working with all stakeholders including cultural and traditional leaders to enforce the ban.
To end the practice of FGM, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed and they must engage the whole community and focus on human rights and gender equality.
These efforts must emphasize societal dialogue and empowerment of communities to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.
With support from the Embassy of Sweden, the Government of Liberia and the United Nations are currently implementing a five-year Joint Programme which prevents and responds to cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including FGM, against women and girls.
Led by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the programme brings together Government ministries such as the Ministries of Gender Children and Social Protection, Justice, Health, Education and Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism while collaborating UN agencies include the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
The practice of FGM threatens the health and security of women and girls. Discussions and actions to end this practice should not be a taboo.
Effort by the Joint Programme and other initiatives to end FGM is not a war against the culture and traditions of Liberia. In fact, we are working closely with our traditional leaders.
FGM is wrong. It is against the law, so together we say no excuses. Now is the time to end FGM.
In a related development, UN Women has announced the appointment of renowned activist Jaha Dukureh of The Gambia as Regional Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women.
She, a survivor of FGM, Ms. Dukureh will dedicate her efforts to support UN Women’s advocacy to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage in Africa, with focus on mobilizing youth.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for an end to FGM and the elimination of all harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage.
On this Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, let us build on the positive momentum and commit to intensifying global action against this harmful practice for the sake of all affected women and girls and their communities.
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM was first introduced in 2003 to enhance awareness of the issue of Female Genital Mutilation and to encourage concrete actions against the practice.
This 2018 observance of the day in Liberia will take place on Tuesday 6th February at the Monrovia City Hall at 10:00 AM under the theme: ‘’Consolidating National Efforts Against FGM.’’