IPNEWS: Liberia’s Traditional Leaders (Zoes) have reached an agreement to ban Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are now calls on the international community, government, and stakeholders to provide them with adequate support to enhance their economic activities in their respective localities.
Montserrado County’s Female Chief Zoe, Madam Massa Kandakai who spoke on behalf of her colleagues informed the gathering in Monrovia on the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation that supporting their livelihoods is key to enforcing the ban on FGM.
“We have agreed to stop FGM, but we are calling for empowerment,” Kandakai explained. “We urge the Ministry of Gender, UN Women, the government, and our partners to support every Zoe across the country. We need basic skills training, financial support, and social assistance to enhance our economic activities and educate our children to become future leaders.”
The Zoes reaffirmed their commitment to ending FGM by continuing cultural initiations without mutilation. They stress that the cessation of FGM does not mean abandoning their traditions, but instead evolving them to protect both cultural heritage and the well-being of young girls.
Ms. Comfort Lamptey, UN Women’s Country Representative to Liberia, acknowledged the progress made in Liberia and the commitment shown by the Zoes in their efforts to end the practice and seek alternative livelihood opportunities.
She expressed UN Women’s commitment to supporting the Zoes in building a brighter future for all women and girls in Liberia.
“We must work together to ensure that the law banning FGM is passed and that we provide alternative forms of income for those who are involved in the practice”, Lamptey said.
Lamptey also highlighted the importance of the Zoes’ initiative to carry out cultural initiations without mutilation, emphasizing that this approach would preserve the beautiful aspects of Liberia’s culture while eliminating the harmful practices associated with FGM.
She reiterated that UN Women is committed to collaborating with the National Legislature to ensure the passage of a law banning FGM, for the protection and empowerment of women and girls across Liberia.
