The Child Resource Institute – Liberia (CRI-L) has kicked off a nationwide consultation with key stakeholders on matters relating to female genital mutilation (FGM) and the women and girls’ protection act of 2025.
Victor P. Howard, Executive Director of CRI-L, disclosed that the engagements will include creating public awareness, dialogues with traditional leaders and local county administrations.
He said the engagements will also prioritize CRI-L executives meeting with the National Legislature on the current status of the women and girls’ protection act.
It can be recalled that in 2022, the Government of Liberia(GoL) and traditional leaders took steps to protect women and girls, primarily through a 3 year moratorium on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The measure followed the 2021 expiration of a previous ban, aiming to curb harmful traditional practices.
However, the moratorium was not a permanent law, leading to the calls from civil society groupings to include the Child Resource Institute – Liberia, for the formal passage of the comprehensive “Women and Girls Protection Act”.
In November 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. submitted a bill to the House of Representatives titled “An act to ban harmful cultural practices in Liberia, or the “Women and Girls protection act of 2025”.
The proposed legislation aims to permanently outlaw harmful cultural practices, including female genital mutilation and child marriage, which violate the rights of women and children.
The bill includes provisions for penalties for those who commit these acts, requires mandatory protection for victims and calls for the establishment of support services.
The House of Representatives in November 2025, following receipt of the draft bill voted to take the bill to citizens in the 73 electoral districts across the Country for a nationwide engagement.
The decision was reached following the presentation of a preliminary report from the joint committee on Gender, Health, Internal Affairs and Judiciary Chaired by Representative Moima Briggs Mensah.
During this period, the Child Resource Institute – Liberia launched the second phase of its campaign to end Female Genital Mutilation in the Country.
The launch was part of CRI-L renewed calls for the passage of a law to permanently criminalize the practice of FGM nationwide.
Victor P. Howard, Executive Director of Child Resource Institute – Liberia noted that this year’s engagements will ensure that all stakeholders join efforts for the bill to end Female Genital Mutilation is taken from committee room and passed by the National Legislature.
Howard said the passage of the bill will strengthen the fight on harmful traditional practices, particularly Female Genital Mutilation.
