Time to Break the Silence and End Female Genital Mutilation in Liberia
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Loading... - Afafa Okai
- 03 Oct 2024
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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a deeply ingrained practice in Liberia, perpetuating cycles of violence and trauma against women and girls. Despite local advocacy and international condemnation, FGM remains a pervasive issue, threatening the health, rights, and future of thousands of women and girls across the country.
FGM is often justified as a rite of passage into womanhood or a necessary condition for marriage, but the evidence tells a different story. According to Equality Now, 31.8% of Liberian women and girls are living with the effects of FGM, with many more at risk. The health consequences of FGM are severe and enduring, including extreme pain, excessive bleeding, infections, and even death. Long-term complications include increased risks during childbirth, higher infant mortality rates, and chronic pain that can last a lifetime.
Liberia stands at a critical juncture, and without legislation specifically outlawing FGM, women and girls will remain vulnerable to this form of gender-based violence. Other African countries have successfully passed anti-FGM laws, and Liberia can learn from their examples. For instance:
- Kenya passed the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act in 2011, which criminalizes FGM and includes penalties for both those who perform the procedure and those who aid in its performance.
- The Gambia passed a law banning FGM in 2015, which combines criminal penalties with robust community outreach programs, emphasizing education and alternative rites of passage.
A Call to Action
The Liberian government must take immediate action to address the issue of FGM. This includes:
i. Drafting comprehensive anti-FGM legislation that criminalizes the practice and outlines clear penalties for offenders.
ii. Establishing a national Anti-FGM Task Force to coordinate efforts between government ministries, NGOs, and community leaders.
iii. Allocating resources for enforcement by strengthening the capacity of local law enforcement to act on reports of FGM and ensuring that justice is served in FGM-related cases.
iv. Integrating FGM prevention into national health and education policies to ensure that all sectors are involved in eradicating the practice.
Community-Based Programs
Community-based programs play a vital role in ending FGM. Liberia must scale successful interventions that have been proven in other contexts, including:
i. Education workshops that engage local communities and involve elders, women, men, and youth in discussions about the health risks and social consequences of FGM.
ii. Alternative rites of passage that offer communities a way to preserve important rites of passage without resorting to FGM.
iii. Survivor-led interventions that involve women who have undergone FGM in leadership roles and provide powerful testimonies that can change hearts and minds in communities where FGM is still practiced.
Ending FGM in Liberia requires the active involvement of everyone. It is not just a women's issue, but a human rights issue that demands collective action. The global community must stand in solidarity with the women and girls affected by this cruel practice. Together, we can dismantle the cultural barriers that have allowed FGM to continue for far too long.
Breaking the silence on FGM is crucial to ending this cruel practice. It requires a collective effort from the government, community leaders, and individuals to publicly denounce FGM, shift societal perceptions, and encourage broader change. Together, we can create a future where women and girls in Liberia are free from the threat of FGM and can live with dignity and respect.
