The National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP), a group against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), says it plans to petition the National Legislature to abolish the practice of FGM in Liberia.
The Steering Committee of NHRAP also said it has drafted a Bill to be presented to the Legislature for deliberation and consideration for passage into law.
Under the banner of the NHRAP, those involved seek to address civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights, with a specific focus on the issues of women, children, and persons with disabilities.
In a presentation at the Ministry of Justice in Sinkor Friday, an official of the Independent Commission of Human Rights (INCHR), Nathaniel T. Solo, called on Liberians to support the draft bill to ensure that it is passed into law.
Solo, who is the Director of the Department of Legislative Assistance, Treaty and Law at the INCHR, said the Liberian Constitution affirms the inalienable and fundamental rights of all persons to human dignity, security and equal opportunity.
Solo said the practice of FGM is against the dignity of women and girls, noting that it is an interference with the fundamental rights of the victims.
“FGM causes great short-term and long-term physical and mental harm to its victims and perpetuates the fundamental discriminatory belief of the subordinate role of women and girls,” he stressed.
He noted that civil society movements are working tirelessly to bring to an end FGM by ensuring that a national law against the practice is enacted in Liberia.
Solo indicated that as a true manifestation of their commitment, civare il society organizations have been holding several meetings to discuss different avenues to engage and influence government to develop and adopt a law prohibiting FGM.
LINA
