“An Act to Ban Harmful Cultural Practices in Liberia”
IPNEWS: Joseph Boakai has submitted a bill titled “An Act to Ban Harmful Cultural Practices in Liberia” to the House of Representatives.
The proposed legislation aims to permanently outlaw female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and other traditions that harm women and children. The Communication has sparked serious debate during plenary deliberations with some lawmakers accusing the Liberian Leader of attempting to eliminate cultural practices in Liberia
The bill was presented to the 55th Legislature’s House of Representatives on October 22, 2025. According to Boakai, the bill fulfills the government’s duty to protect the rights and health of all Liberians. It specifically seeks to protect women and children who are most vulnerable to these practices.
The legislation aligns with Liberia’s commitments under international treaties, including the African Union’s Maputo Protocol and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Recognizing the sensitive cultural nature of the practices, the bill includes a six-month transitional period focused on public education and community dialogue before the ban takes effect. It mandates engagement with traditional leaders and women’s groups.
Following its submission, the House of Representatives referred the bill to its Committees on Gender, Health, Internal Affairs, and Judiciary for review and recommendations within three weeks.
While human rights advocates have welcomed the bill as a progressive and long-awaited step, it has also sparked debate among lawmakers. Some express concern about the impact on long-held traditions.
Context of the legislation
The bill is seen as a major step toward permanently criminalizing FGM, a practice that advocates like the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) and the Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI) have long demanded.
The move follows years of legislative inaction and previously ineffective measures, such as a temporary ban on FGM. The bill’s explicit criminalization is intended to ensure accountability.
FGM is particularly prevalent in Liberia, where it is practiced in 11 of the nation’s 15 counties. A recent incident in August 2025, in which 500 girls underwent initiation rites in a “bush school” in Lofa County, underscored the urgency of the issue.
The proposed ban would place Liberia among a growing number of African nations to pass statutory bans on FGM. It comes at a time when the Gambia’s parliament is controversially considering repealing its own ban, contrasting sharply with Liberia’s push for legal protections.
