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Liberia achieved another significant milestone in its fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) as former practitioners from Nimba County, in northern Liberia, publicly handed over their traditional tools used for the practice, signaling the end of FGM in the region.
The landmark event, held at the Gbanquoi Vocational and Heritage Centre—funded by the European Union and the United Nations Spotlight Initiative through UN Women—was a moment of profound transformation. Former practitioners, dressed in white headgear and carrying containers draped in white cloth, surrendered their tools to Chief Zanzan Karwor, Chairperson of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia. This ceremony marked the county’s commitment to abandoning the harmful practice.
The event was attended by various 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 practitioners from across Liberia.
Nimba County now joins Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, and Bong Counties as the fourth of the eleven counties where FGM is practiced to hold such a ceremony. This effort is in alignment with Chief Zanzan Karwor’s groundbreaking proclamation on February 6, 2023, which banned FGM throughout Liberia. The ban seeks to put an end to the harmful practice of cutting women and girls while preserving positive cultural rituals, such as singing, dancing, and weaving, under the concept of “initiation without mutilation.”
In her remarks, Ambassador Juli Endee, Executive Director of Crusaders of Peace and cultural Queen of Liberia, praised the voluntary decision of traditional leaders to end FGM. She emphasized that the move was motivated by a belief in doing what is right to foster national development. She also expressed deep appreciation to Liberia’s development partners for their support and acknowledged the importance of engaging directly with traditional leaders and practitioners to ensure the success of this transformative change.
Comfort Lamptey, UN Women’s Country Representative for Liberia, also commended Chief Zanzan Karwor’s leadership and commitment to ending FGM. She highlighted the critical role of the four vocational and heritage centres established in counties such as Nimba. These centres, part of the European Union and United Nations Spotlight Initiative, provide former traditional practitioners with alternative economic opportunities while preserving the cultural heritage of Liberia without the harmful practice of FGM.
Local authorities in Nimba County expressed their gratitude for the construction of these heritage centres, encouraging former practitioners to use the facilities for empowerment activities, ensuring they fulfill their intended purpose.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Parleh Harris, also offered her congratulations to all stakeholders, including the traditional leaders, for their courage in ending FGM. She called for continued determination to move forward with the ban and shared her vision of Liberia, telling its success story to other nations. “We will now be telling our story to other countries about how we did it,” she said.
UN Women continues to support the roll-out of the FGM ban, with funding provided by the Government of Sweden.
This historic event marks a significant step forward in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to protect the rights and dignity of women and girls and ensure a future free from harmful practices.
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