PHOTO: Kaiatu Bah, Advocate officer, Girls Alliance for Future Leaders
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
Monrovia- After more than three decades after the Liberian civil war, a pro-female organization, Girls Alliance for Future Leaders has observed that the devilish issues that characterized violation of the rights of young girls still prevailing in this West African country.
The Girls Alliance’s Advocacy Officer, Kadiatu Bah said children like ever before are worst suffering from the uncontrollable deprivation and destitution, domestic violence and sexual abuse, rape are perpetrated against the girl child in Liberia unchecked.
Miss Bah made the disclosure at the program marking the observance of the Day of the African Child organized by the Girls’ Alliance for Future leaders at the Dujah High School in the Township of Barnerville last Tuesday.
“We are not safe,” she went on, “with no remorse, the lawmaker have over the years ignored the cry of millions of Liberian young women and girls to protect them against female genitals mutilations calling it a sacred religious rite of their traditional people, The worst sufferers or direct victims of female genitals mutilations are the Liberian girls’ children because FGM is the pipeline for child brides, early or child marriage,” said the Girls Alliance official.
The program, held under the theme: “Education For All children in Africa; The Time is Now,” was graced by students from all Garnerville and its environs.
According to Miss Bah, the African Union Committee of experts on the Rights of Children called for an end to all harmful cultural practices that have the potential of harming especially the girl’s child.
“We will relent until FGM practice on minors is criminalized by the Liberian government and we are calling on all girls across Liberia to join this fight.”
“Say no to cutting and yes to education and tell our lawmaker to protect the Liberian girl child because enough is enough.”
“We are calling on our President Joseph Boakai, the Speaker, House of Representatives; J. Fonati Kofa and President Pro Tempore, the Liberian Senate, Nynblee Karngar-Lawrence, to resist and amend the domestic violence law of 2019 to criminalize performing FGM on girls of 17 years and below.”