The 6th of February every year marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. According to un.org, over the last 25 years, the prevalence of FGM has declined globally. Today, a girl is one-third less likely to undergo FGM than 30 years ago. However, sustaining these achievements in the face of humanitarian crises such as disease outbreaks, climate change, and human rights violations including gender-based violence, armed conflict and more could cause a rollback of progress toward achieving gender equality and the elimination of FGM by 2030. Different approaches by national and international organizations have been used to address these issues, and we can say that milestones have been made.
In Liberia, the practice of Female Genital Mutilation is deeply rooted in traditional beliefs and perceptions, therefore traditional leadership, one of the oldest institutions in Liberia, can play a key role in addressing the harmful practice. Specifically, Female Traditional leaders form a key access point at the community level. The country does not have a law criminalizing FGM despite having signed and ratified regional and international human rights instruments. However, section 242 of the Penal Code speaks to malicious and unlawful injuries towards another person by cutting off or otherwise depriving him or her of any of the members of his body, finding a person guilty of a felony.
The Liberia Demography Health Survey (DHS) 2019 – 2020 portrays Gbarpolu County as the leading county with a 78% prevalence of FGM and the practice is widespread in all the counties with River Gee recording the lowest prevalence at 2%.
Structures such as the National Working Group on FGM in Liberia have played a major role in empowering and strengthening the capacity of women-led organizations to advocate for illegal harmful practices. Moreover, organizations such as Actionaid Liberia have Provided economic livelihood alternative for FGM practitioners, Empower communities to challenge and reject all forms of violence and abuses and also Supported national policy and advocacy campaigns which have so far contributed to the drafting of the FGM Bill.
The UN estimates that with eight (now seven) years remaining in this decade of action, there is potential in eliminating this harmful practice through sustainable partnerships with men and boys. Their voices and actions can transform deeply rooted social and gender norms, allowing girls and women to realize their rights and potential in terms of health, education, income, and equality.
To promote the elimination of female genital mutilation, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and they must engage local communities and focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education, and attention to the needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.
Watch this message from UN Goodwill Ambassador Jaha Dukure. Watch
Sources: Actionaid Liberia, United Nations, UNFPA)