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ADNews-Monrov,Liberia: Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Laura Golakeh has strongly rejected arguments by some members of the public and the House of Representatives that female genital mutilation (FGM) should continue under the Sande Society if performed at age 18, which they describe as the age of consent.
Speaking during a meeting at the Capitol Building, the Deputy Minister said the debate around consent misses the deeper realities faced by girls and women in communities where the practice is embedded in cultural expectations.
“I just want to quickly comment on the issue of consent that we’ve been going back and forth on,” she told lawmakers. “No matter how old you are, you should not have harm done to you.”
‘There Is Nothing Called Consent’ in Coercive Settings
The Deputy Minister argued that in many communities, young women face intense pressure to join traditional societies as a rite of passage, often tied to social acceptance and access to community privileges.
“When we talk about consent, we must consider women in communities where they are bullied or pressured to undergo the practice,” she said. “To gain certain privileges, people are compelled to go through it. So there is nothing called the issue of consent.”
Her remarks came in response to suggestions that restricting FGM to adults would resolve human rights concerns. She maintained that coercion, cultural pressure, and unequal power dynamics undermine the very concept of free and informed consent.
Culture Must Be Preserved Without Harm
While firmly opposing FGM, the Deputy Minister emphasized that Liberia’s culture remains important and worthy of protection.
“Our culture is unique. We respect our elders. We take care of our children. We must keep the good aspects of our culture and protect our girls and women,” she said. “Our culture is important, and we will stand with our culture.”
However, she stressed that harmful practices cannot be justified in the name of tradition.
“When we talk about women’s bodies, we must give them the agency to speak about what they are going through and whether or not they want to make decisions about their bodies,” she added.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to ending FGM, describing it as both a legal issue and a human rights obligation.
“Ending FGM is not only a legal matter; it is a human rights obligation,” she declared, noting that Liberia has ratified major international human rights treaties and must hold itself accountable to them.
She referenced recent national and international observances against FGM and said the government is strengthening community engagement and national coordination efforts to eliminate the practice.
“We now have an opportunity — a safe space — to talk and engage our leaders and communities across the country,” she said. “This has been a nationally led initiative.”
She also acknowledged the support of development partners and praised members of the House Joint Committee, describing them as “agenda champions” in the fight to protect women and girls.
‘The Time Is Now’
In an emotional appeal, the Deputy Minister — speaking, she said, not only in her official capacity but “as a young woman” — called for unity across political and cultural lines.
“If there was ever a time we needed to work together as Liberians, the time is now,” she said.
She urged lawmakers and community leaders to confront practices that “continue to threaten the health, dignity, and future of Liberian girls and women.”
“This is an opportunity for all of us to create a lasting legacy,” she said. “The next generation will remember us for our bravery and courage to speak, to break the silence, and to protect others from harm.”
On behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, she pledged continued collaboration with lawmakers, traditional leaders, women, and young people to end the practice.
“We have a responsibility to protect the lives and dignity of young women and girls in Liberia,” she concluded. “We will remain committed to this great cause.”
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