“Protect Us From Harmful Practices” End FGM, Liberia Women Campaigners Petition Legislature

November 18, 2025

By Lazota Bility

Monrovia: Thousands of women under the banner “National Campaigners Against Harmful Cultural Practices” stormed the grounds of the capitol building demanding Legislators to end FGN and other harmful traditional practices against mostly women and girls in Liberia by passing the “Women and Girls Protection Act” recently submitted to the Legislatures by Pres. Joseph Boakai

Wearing all black and chanting, “Protect us from harmful practices, End FGM, the women called on lawmakers for swift intervention in passing women and girls protect Act which seeks to ban FGN and protect women and girls.

According to National Campaigners Against Harmful Cultural Practices”, FGM is a harmful practice that cause complications for mostly Women and girls constituting grave human right violations and threat to safety, health and dignity of women and girls.

It can be recall on October 2025, President Joseph Boakai submitted to the House of Representatives the “Women and Girls Protection Act. The Act seeks to amend chapter 14, tittle 26 of the penal code creating sub-chapter “E” 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 transformative milestone in the nation’s efforts to eliminate Harmful practices. The Bill proposes amendments introducing penalties for FGM offenses, forced initiation, abduction, facilitation, failure to report, and discrimination.

Presenting the petition on behalf of the “National Campaigners Against Harmful Cultural Practices”, lead Campaigner Miatta Garmai Darwolor, cautioned the National Legislature

To swiftly pass the Women and Girls Protection Act of 2025. She said the proposed law seeks to outlaw female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, trafficking, and other harmful traditional practices that continue to endanger the lives of Liberian women and girls.

Madam Darwolor emphasized that due to entrenched gender inequalities and cultural practices that undermine the health, safety, and dignity women and girls remain among the most vulnerable populations.

‎ “Passing the Women and Girls Protection Act of 2025 will mark a historic step toward equality, dignity, and national progress, because the future of Liberia’s daughters depends on the bold actions of today’s leaders,” Darwolor noted. “

She added that passing the bill is important because FGM prevalence: Between 38–44% of Liberian women aged 15–49 have undergone FGM, with rural rates exceeding 50% in counties such as Nimba, Grand Bassa, River Cess, and Bong.

‎she said the Health consequences of FGM is huge causing bleeding, infection, infertility, childbirth complications, psychological trauma, and in some cases, death. She said the National impact and harms strain Liberia’s health system, reduce women’s economic productivity, and hinder national development.

‎Madam Darwolor argued that FGM and related practices violate Liberia’s Constitution citing Article 11 which Guarantees equal protection, freedom from sex-based discrimination, and the right to life. Article 20(a) which Protects life and security of the person and Article 5(b) which Allows preservation of culture only when compatible with human dignity and public policy.

‎Campaigners stressed that Liberia has binding obligations under the Maputo Protocol, ratified in 2007, requiring prohibition of FGM. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, mandating protection of women and children. ECOWAS frameworks, including the 2025 Consensus on Ending FGM, reaffirming Liberia’s pledge to eliminate harmful practices.

‎The petitioners urged lawmakers to Pass the Act without any delay and Affirming Liberia’s constitutional duty to protect citizens from discrimination and violence as well Upholding regional obligations to abolish harmful practices, ensure resources for enforcement, education, and survivor support.

‎ ‎ Following the submission of the petition, House Speaker, Richard Nagbe Koon, confirmed lawmakers are reviewing the proposed Women and Girls Protection Act of 2025 presented by the president. Speaker Koon assured campaigners and civil society representatives that the Legislature is committed to acting on the instrument without delay. “The Legislature is reviewing the petition, and we will ensure its passage before the body closes for its break,” he added.