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ADNews-Monrovia: Montserrado traditional leaders have finally declared Female Genital Mutilation FGM banned in the County, warned violators of traditional punishment, and introduced the “kpowah sande Society” which involves initiation without mutilation as a means of continuing their cultural heritage
The closure was followed by the launch of the Alternative Eco Livelihood program, transforming their traditional activities into training them in tie dying, village savings, and tailoring with other skills to support their livelihoods
Speaking at the International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation in Songkay Town, lower Monsterrado County, the Montserrado County Female zoes Leader, Madam Massa Kandakai acknowledged the ban of the harmful traditional practices and the closure of sande bushes in the County, but requested the UN, Government and their Partners to fulfill their promises.
“I Massa kandakai say it must be closed and it’s close for good, I finished agree yaa!! but what you get for us, you do it for us”, the Monsterrado Chief Female Zoe asserted.
Reading the proclamation on behalf of the UN, the UN Women Country representative, Ms. Comfort Lamptey characterized FGM as one of the most vicious manifestations of the patriarchy that permeates the world and also serves as an abhorrent violation of fundamental human rights that causes lifelong damage to the physical and mental health of women and girls.
She said, the act is deeply rooted in the same gender inequalities and complex social norms that limit women’s participation and leadership and restrict their access to education and employment across the globe.
“On the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, let’s commit to social change and strong partnerships to put to an end female genital mutilation once and for all”, UN Women Country representative Ms. Lamptey asserted.
She called everyone to collaborate as powerful allies in challenging and ending the scourge, as the team for the year called on men and boys everywhere to join them in speaking out and stepping forward to end female genital mutilation, for the benefit of all.
Reading the statement of progress in FGM activities, the traditional Queen of Liberia, Juli Endee confirmed their acceptance of closing and banning FGM activities and committed to gradually continue the process in every county practicing FGM in Liberia.
“our traditional rituals practices for 19 days and nights to speak with our ancestors which allowed us to come to such decisions”, Juli Endee assured the public.
Juli maintains that Sande school is one of the oldest traditional institutions in the World but lack of education has made many people misinterpret its value
“We have three kinds of Sande Societies, the Mua sande is practiced by Muslims, Zoebar sande is practiced by the mask Dancer and Kpowah sande is a practice that involves initiation without mutilation”, Queen Juli explains.
She further noted that the FGM Ban will immediately affect the Mua, and Zoebar but the Kpowah practice will continue to pass on their heritage as it’s meant to educate patriotism, skills, and royalty among others.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders in Liberia (NACCEL), Chief Zanza Kawah confirmed that they will collaborate with every traditional leader to abolish FGM in the remaining ten counties but only if the respect they due as traditional leaders is given to them.
He said, “No one has the authority to bring FGM back, not even those who will come to you telling you to vote for them so they can bring it back”.
Chief Zanza Kawah maintains that they are doing this to put the country in a position to compete with other nations in exploring opportunities
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