-As anti FGM campaign heats up
Key findings show that about 27% of children in Liberia mostly in rural area are subjected to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and are cut before their fifth birthdays.
The National Working Group against FGM has called for zero tolerance against this practice, which involves partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural, religious or other non-medical reasons which make them loss feeling during sexual intercourse.
According to UNICEF FGM status report 2017 in Liberia, the prevalence of FGM in girls and women aged between 15- 49 are 44%.
The FGM practice is said to be prevalent in north, Western and Central Liberia.
The Executive Officer of Women Solidarity Incorporated and Co-Chair of the National Working Group against Female Genital Mutilation Marian Deah said, FGM is a fundamental violation of girls and women rights including the right to life, the right to physical integrity and the right to health.
But there are some who are strongly opposed to calls for the banning of FGM. They argued that the practice should be preserved as part of the Liberian culture and that instead of calling for a ban, the traditional practice anti FGM advocates should instead be calling for the procedure to be made safer.
‘’In the absence of any medical reasons, FGM subjects girls and women to health risks and has life threatening consequences, further the practice of FGM contravenes the International conventions and protocols of which Liberia is a signatory the UN convention on the rights of child among others,’’ Madam Deah said.
Many health experts, professionals and human rights activists have concluded that FGM is harmful and often have negative effects ranging from immediate to long-term.
The National Working Group against Female Genital Mutilation or FGM has however made a number of recommendations to the government of Liberia to address the situation.
It wants the government to make clear its commitment to International protocols she has signed up to by eliminating FGM through regulations and programs; develop national policies and action plans that will only prohibit but monitor and evaluate adherence at national and local level; and inculcate FGM in to mainstream health and education programs and build partnership with local NGOs and CBOs.
The National Working Group against Female Genital Mutilation or FGM wants zero tolerance to FGM not only in Liberia and Africa but the World at large.
The anti FGM pressure group comprises seventeen civil society group including the National Association against Traditional Practices affecting the health of Women, Women against Female Genital Mutilation, the Independent Commission on human rights, Action aid Liberia and Women Solidarity Incorporated among others.
It says now is the time for government to take positive steps at eliminating the practice of FGM in the country.
According to the National Working Group’s official Madam Deah, President George Manneh Weah’s State of the Nation address on January 29, 2018 assured Liberians that his government will ensure the protection of all citizens, in adherence to the constitution of Liberia and regional and International instrument that promote and protect women, girls and human rights in general.
‘’Therefore, we as members of the National Working Group against Female Genital Mutilation or FGM strongly feel now is the time to take positive steps at eliminating the practice of FGM,’’ she said.
‘’While we embark on launching a massive campaign to work with local traditional leaders, midwives and zoes in FGM practicing communities to foster change in behavior, it is imperative that national government goes beyond the executive order,’’ the anti FGM advocate concluded. Report by Alfred Kollie email.com alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com