Amb. Endee Clarifies the Ban on FGM

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ADNews-Monrovia:  Liberian Culture Ambassador Queen Juli Endee has provided much-needed clarity regarding the country’s recent stance on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). According to Ambassador Endee, the ban does not affect the entire Sande practice but specifically targets the genital mutilation aspect of the traditional schools.
Speaking with journalists at a UN-Women Gender Sensitive Reporting workshop on FGM in Monrovia this week, Endee explained that Montserrado County and Grand Cape Mount have already implemented the ban, following the successful performance of ritual sacrifices, and other counties will soon follow suit.
“We have 11 counties practicing FGM. For Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount, we have conducted traditional rituals and sacrifices with our ancestors, which paved the way for these decisions,” Endee revealed.
She emphasized that the Sande school is one of the oldest traditional institutions in the world, but due to a lack of education, many people misunderstand or misinterpret aspects of the practice.
Endee went on to explain that there are three types of Sande societies: the Mua Sande, practiced by Muslims; the Zoebar Sande, practiced by the Mask people; and the Kpowah Sande, which involves initiation without genital mutilation.
“The Mua and Zoebar Sande practices will be banned, but the Kpowah Sande will continue as it is focused on teaching culture, patriotism, skills, and loyalty, helping to preserve our heritage,” she stated.
Ambassador Endee’s statements provide a clearer understanding of the government’s approach to balancing cultural traditions with the protection of women’s health and rights.

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