The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia is said to be taking a robust and systematic approach in its advocacy campaign aimed at championing the cause for the protection of women and girls across the Country especially against the harmful practices of female genital mutilation.
Among other things, AFELL is providing support to the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the House of Representatives Committee on Gender.
Currently, it has begun one in its series of engagements and processes relative to a nationwide consultations, review and subsequent submission of the Female Genital Mutilation Prohibition Bill for enactment by the National Legislature.
At day one session saw well knowledgeable people comprises participants mainly legal counsels from the Ministry of Gender, Human rights Commission, Law Reform commission, and the Ministry of Health respectively.
Giving an overview of the Draft FGM prohibition Bill, Bong County District six Representative and Chairperson on Gender at the House of Representatives Moima Briggs Mensah said, to succeed in the fight against female genital Mutilation, the government of Liberia has to be intentional with all hands on deck.
According to Representative Mensah, the bill is in the interest of women and girls across the country.
The Bong County Lawmaker emphasized that the practice violates a person’s right to health, security and physical integrity.
” If we want to stop it once and for all, we can maintain our culture, we can have our programs and teach our children how to sing, dance, cook, and take care of their husbands and the following processes”, she added.
According to her, they are not stopping the cultural aspect, but are stopping the harmful practices.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Minister for Administration and Acting Minister at the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection Frederick Cooper, reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment in ensuring that the fight against female Genital Mutilation is eradicated.
Minister Cooper thanked AFELL and partners for their efforts in combating FGM.
Speaking earlier, the president of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia, Philomena Williams said that the goal of the review focuses on the protection of females in the country.
Cllr. Williams who highlighted the harmful traditional practice was quick to emphasize the need for such to be eliminated.
She stressed that politicians should not justify the practice to gain prominence at the detriment of young girls and women.
The President of AFELL also stressed the need for the total involvement of relevant stakeholders in combating violence against women and girls across the country.
As part of the two days events, participants as well as relevant stakeholders are also discussing cross cutting and other pressing national issues to include good governance, including maintaining the rule of law and stepping up efforts against female Genital Mutilation.
At the same time, the issue of addressing the education value chain, spanning from early childhood education to basic, secondary, higher education, and Technical vocational education and training among others will be highlighted.
Meanwhile, According to the World Health Organization, more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is practiced.
FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15.
