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By Joseph Tumbey
Afric Daily Newspaper– Monrovia: The UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for Africa on female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, Ms. Jaha Dukureh has called on the traditional leaders to avoid mutilation of female genital organs during initiation as a means to end the harmful part of traditional practices in Liberia allowing the Government with her international partners to achieve their goal in eradicating the harmful traditional practices.
Ms. Dukurah who has arrived in Liberia ahead of the 16 days activism slated from 25 November to 10 December 2022 with the aim to end violence against Women and Girls said, her role is to work with traditional leaders , Government, survivors, development partners and the media to see the end of the practices that are affecting women and girls in Africa.
According to her, the African culture is so rich as it provides basic traditional education, builds maturity with economical factors but calls on traditional leaders to introduce initiation without mutilation.
She however warned the politicians to stop promoting the harmful aspects of the traditional practices to gain vote but encouraging them to collectively contribute to end the act that’s affecting and stigmatizing African women globally.
UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for Africa on female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, Jaha Dukureh acknowledged African leaders to be
transparent and avoid contradiction in what they say publicly to what they do secretly in fighting against FGM and Child marriages.
” I am from Gambia, came from the Muslim background and a survivor of FGM.
I can tell you the Journalists, we will establish a media academy to investigate and report every agreement signed by the government to eradicate traditional practices and Child marriage in your country”, the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for Africa on female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, Jaha Dukureh assured the public during her media interaction on Monday November 21, at the UN Women headquarters in Liberia.
Going further, Ms. Dukureh noted that the media which is a front line Human rights defendants has a crucial role to investigate and report every act involving the practices of harmful traditional act and Child marriage to help them achieve the fight
However, she assured their support to providing the needs of their transactional Women and avoid them being stranded if the government of Liberia is willing to past the law that will stop the FGM and Child marriage.