Gender Ministry, partners commemorate International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders, will today, Monday, February 6, 2023 join the rest of the world in commemorating International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

In Liberia, the day will be observed with an indoor program that brings together representatives from the eleven (11) FGM practicing counties.

On December 20, 2012 the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/67/146 calling on states, the united nations system, Civil Society and all stakeholders to observe February 6 each year as International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation(FGM).

The resolution seeks to intensify global efforts to eliminate FGM and raise awareness on the practice.

FGM is being recognized as a violation of the human right of women and girls reflecting deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women.

With support from the United Nations, particularly UN-Women and other stakeholders, the Government of Liberia in partnership with National Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders (NACCEL) conducted a multi-stakeholders dialogue with traditional leaders from eleven (11) FGM practicing counties in June, 2019 which resolved to conduct an inventory to develop database of Sande Bushes in the Country.

Following the dialogue, a policy statement was issued affirming their consent to adjust the timing of the bushes and modernize the practice amongst others. Liberia is one of three West African countries that have not yet made female genital mutation (FGM) illegal.

The commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM encourages activists to focus on the issues against Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage that are most pertinent to our local context.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection remains committed to working with all partners to push for systemic change and accountability while promoting equality for all. In this direction, Gender and partners intend to heighten the advocacy for the eradication of FGM through screening of documentaries, engaging more traditional leaders and bringing them on board to join the fight against FGM.

This year's observance of the FGM's Day takes place in Songhay Town, Todee District, Montserrado County.

While there are still inequalities affecting women including female genital mutilation (FGM), there have been significant progress and commitments from the Government of Liberia to include the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia supported by the One UN System, European Union, as well as International and National Organizations, including civil society organizations.

It can be recalled, in 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Internal affairs and the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia to suspend all bush schools as an agreeable action in ending harmful traditional practices in Liberia for the period of one year.

This period was used to conduct inventory of traditional groves and map out traditional practitioners in FGM practicing counties. Eventually, a three-year ban was effected in February 2022 through consistent engagement with the authorities (National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs) clothed with all matters relating to the FGM practice and tradition to get buy-in in all policies, projects and programs relating to traditional matters, such as FGM.

This has set the pace for significant progress made regarding Liberia’s fight towards ending FGM, within the context of the 2018 Agreed Conclusion of the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (Strengthen normative, legal and policy frameworks) relative to the Review Theme and the Emerging Issue of the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67).