Mr. President,
The Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) extends its congratulations on your assumption of office as the 26th President of Liberia. We believe your leadership presents a critical opportunity to finally address the ongoing human rights violation of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Liberia.
Liberia’s Commitment to Ending FGM:
It is important to acknowledge that Liberia has already taken significant steps towards ending FGM. Notably, Liberia signed the Maputo Protocol in December 2003 and ratified it in December 2007. This landmark protocol explicitly prohibits FGM and requires signatory states to take legislative and other measures to eradicate the practice.
A Call to Action: Honor Liberia’s Commitment:
Despite this commitment, FGM remains a deeply entrenched practice in parts of Liberia, affecting nearly half of all girls and women. We urge your government to take decisive action to honor Liberia’s international and regional commitments and protect its women and girls from FGM. This requires a multi-pronged approach:
1. Translate Commitment into Action:
- Enact a comprehensive law explicitly prohibiting FGM: Liberia has yet to enact such a law, despite ratifying the Maputo Protocol. This law should criminalize all forms of FGM, establish clear penalties for perpetrators, and provide legal recourse for survivors.
- Implement and enforce existing laws: Liberia already has laws related to child protection, gender-based violence, and harmful traditional practices. However, these laws need to be explicitly applied to FGM and effectively enforced.
2. Strengthen Institutional Capacity:
- Allocate adequate resources and training to relevant ministries: The Ministries of Justice, Law, Social Affairs, Education, and Defense need the resources and expertise to effectively address FGM within their mandates. This includes training law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, social workers, and educators.
- Establish a dedicated national task force: Create a task force specifically focused on ending FGM, bringing together representatives from government, civil society, traditional authorities, and the international community.
3. Invest in Community Engagement and Education:
- Launch nationwide awareness-raising campaigns: Utilize various media channels and community outreach programs to educate the public about the harmful consequences of FGM and promote alternative rites of passage.
- Empower girls and women: Provide girls with access to quality education and economic opportunities, which can contribute to delaying or preventing FGM. Support women’s rights groups and community-based organizations working to end FGM.
4. Uphold Regional and International Cooperation:
- Share best practices with other African Union member states: Liberia should actively participate in regional efforts to end FGM and learn from the experiences of other countries.
- Collaborate with international partners: Work with UN agencies, NGOs, and other international organizations to access resources and expertise for ending FGM in Liberia.
A Brighter Future for Liberian Women and Girls:
Mr. President, by honoring Liberia’s commitment to the Maputo Protocol and taking decisive action against FGM, you have the power to create a brighter future for generations of Liberian women and girls. By protecting them from this harmful practice, you can ensure their health, dignity, and equal participation in all aspects of society.
The Women Leaders Network for Development – Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), founded in 2013, is a pan-African Afrofeminist network of 1,143 member organisations in more than 35 African countries, with its headquarters in Accra. RFLD works to end discrimination and violence against women and girls and to promote gender equality and human rights.
Why this letter still matters
When we published this letter in January 2024, Liberia had no permanent law banning female genital mutilation. Earlier protections had come through temporary executive measures, which left girls exposed each time they lapsed. A durable ban needs an act of the Legislature, backed by public funding for prevention and for dialogue with traditional leaders.
Liberia is a State Party to the Maputo Protocol. Its Article 5 requires states to prohibit and condemn all harmful practices, including through legislative measures backed by sanctions. RFLD tracks how each African country applies this commitment, and we will keep raising Liberia's case with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights until the law protects every girl.
