Monrovia – The National Coalition Against Harmful Practices in Liberia (NACAHP) has called on the government to take urgent legislative and policy measures to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country.
The press statement, issued from the Office of the National Administrator at SKD Boulevard, comes as Liberia marks the official end of its three-year suspension of FGM—a period that began on February 4, 2022—and the resumption of the practice by FGM practitioners.
In the statement, NACAHP noted that while Liberia has made notable strides in addressing FGM—such as imposing a suspension across all 11 practicing counties and instituting a traditional ban in five counties (Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa) on February 6, 2024—these measures have not fully met the expectations of both local and international communities committed to ending the practice.
“NACAHP acknowledges the progress made so far; however, our efforts fall short of fully realizing the calls from local and international bodies to end FGM in Liberia,” the statement reads. The coalition highlighted Liberia’s commitments under international agreements such as the Maputo Protocol and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Both treaties mandate that state parties enact legislative, educational, and public awareness measures to eliminate FGM and other harmful practices.
s This development comes at a critical time as the country observes the “International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM” under the global theme “Her Voice, Her Future” and the national theme “Her Voice, Her Future; Let’s Act Now By Ending FGM and Preserving Our Heritage.”
NACAHP is urging the National Government, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to move decisively from rhetoric to action by enacting a comprehensive law that will permanently end FGM in Liberia. “The voices of victims, survivors, and potential victims must be heard,” the statement declared, emphasizing that ending FGM is essential for safeguarding the rights and well-being of Liberian women and girls.
The coalition stressed that while previous measures to suspend the practice are a welcome start, there is an urgent need for amplified efforts to fulfill Liberia’s international obligations and to protect future generations from the harmful impacts of FGM.
As the suspension period lapses and the threat of a resurgence looms, NACAHP’s call to action underscores the importance of a coordinated, legislative response to ensure that progress made over the past years is not undone, and that Liberia continues on a path toward a safer, more equitable future for all.
