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ADNews-Nimba- Liberia: Liberia has recorded a significant milestone in its efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM), as former traditional practitioners in Nimba County, northern Liberia, officially handed over their tools used in the practice. The symbolic event, held at the Gbanquoi Vocational and Heritage Centre, marked a formal end to the practice in the county.
The ceremony, held on Friday, October 27, 2023, was organized under the auspices of the United Nations Spotlight Initiative, with support from the European Union and UN Women. Former practitioners, dressed in white headgear and carrying containers draped in white cloths, surrendered their tools to Chief Zanzan Karwor, Chairperson of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia.
This event represents a turning point, as Nimba becomes the fourth of Liberia’s eleven FGM-practicing counties to conduct traditional rituals to abandon the practice. Similar ceremonies have been held in Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, and Bong Counties.
The ceremony was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, the Embassy of Sweden, UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA, civil society organizations, local authorities from Nimba, and traditional leaders from across Liberia.
The move aligns with Chief Karwor’s historic proclamation on February 6, 2023, banning FGM nationwide. The ban encourages the preservation of positive cultural traditions—such as singing, dancing, and weaving—without the harmful practice of genital cutting, a concept now promoted as “initiation without mutilation.”
Reaffirming the commitment of traditional leaders, Chief Karwor emphasized the importance of cultural integrity without harm. Ambassador Juli Endee, Executive Director of Crusaders for Peace and Cultural Queen of Liberia, lauded the voluntary decision by traditional leaders, driven by their desire to promote national development and protect women’s rights.
“We did this because we believe it is right,” Ambassador Endee said. “Our traditional leaders have made a bold choice to lead Liberia into a future free from FGM.”
Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative for Liberia, commended Chief Karwor’s leadership and acknowledged the courage of all involved in embracing cultural change.
“Nimba is one of four counties where vocational and heritage centres have been established under the Spotlight Initiative. These centres provide former practitioners with alternative livelihoods while preserving Liberia’s rich cultural traditions,” she noted.
Local authorities in Nimba County expressed appreciation for the construction of the centre and called on former practitioners to use the facility to empower themselves and their communities.
Hon. Parleh Harris, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, praised all partners and stakeholders for their role in this historic transition.
“We will now be telling our story to other countries about how we did it,” she said, urging sustained momentum and commitment to the ban.
UN Women continues to support the implementation of the FGM ban with financial backing from the Government of Sweden.
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