Draft FGM Bill To Be Taken Across Liberia for National-wide Citizens Engagement
November 18, 2025
By Ida Reeves
Monrovia: The House of Representatives has voted to take the Draft FGN Bill that seeks to Ban Harmful Practices across the country in the 73 districts for broader engagement with citizens before final decision can be made.
The decision was reached on November 18, 2025 during Tuesday’s sitting following the presentation of a preliminary report from the Joint Committee on Gender, Health, Internal Affairs, and Judiciary, chaired by Hon. Moima Briggs Mensah.
Liberian Women on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 stormed the capitol building demanding the legislature to pass the FGM bill. The women said, FGM is a harmful practice that cause complications for mostly Women and girls which constitutes grave human right violations and threat to the safety, health and dignity of women and girls.
It can be recall in October 2025, President Joseph Boakai submitted to the House of Representatives Women and Girls Protection Act. The Act seeks to amend chapter 14, tittle 26 of the penal code, creating sub-chaptel “E” seeking to eliminate FGM in Liberia
The act states, “Every Liberian women and girls deserve freedom from harm, Access to Justice and the chance to live free from violence” speaking to the transformative milestone in the nation’s efforts to eliminate Harmful practices.
The Joint Committee on Gender, Health, Internal Affairs, and Judiciary, was earlier mandated to review the bill following the submission by the President Boakai.
After the committee’s report and debate on the subject, Bong County third district Representative J. Marvin Cole, raised a motion calling for extensive nationwide consultations before any decision can be made
Rep Cole argued that the draft bill given its cultural and social significance, must be thoroughly discussed with citizens, especially those in communities directly affected by the proposed changes.
He emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue, noting that the people must be given the space to express their views, concerns, and recommendations before the Legislature proceeds with any final action.
Following deliberations, plenary endorsed the motion, allowing the draft bill to be taken to all 73 districts for stakeholder consultations, community dialogues, and public engagements.
The House emphasized that the outreach process will ensure that the final decision reflects the will of the people while balancing human rights, cultural considerations, and national development priorities.
