From Elton Wroinbee Tiah | GNN Correspondent | Grand Bassa County |
Madam Setta Fofana Saah, National Coordinator of the Traditional Council of Liberia has declared that her organization is prepared in the preaching of messages that will eradicate the spread of the Female Genital Mutilation in the country, as well in Grand Bassa County.
The Liberia traditional council head speaking during the program said, “I want make it clear here, the National Traditional Council of Liberia headed by me want all FGM activities come to an end now”, he ordered.
She was speaking last week when four local Non-governmental Organizations last weekend lunched a project aimed at ‘Strengthening Community participation in Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision (FGM/C ) eradication in rural Liberia.
The four NGOs includes Women Initiative for Self Help (WISH) , Progressive Youth Network (PYN), Young Women in Action for Gender Righ ts ( WAGE) and Women Aid Liberia (WAL).
Joshua Flama, Project Consultant told the gathering that FGM can be eradicated through community engagement with key decision makers in parts of Grand Bassa County.
“We all can eradicate FGM by gathering ideas from community dwellers that will lead to the reduction in the high wave of FGM/C and early marriage of girls’ children in Grand Bassa County”.
He furthered ” FGM is carried out for numerous cultural and social reasons within families and communities in the mistaken belief that it’ll benefit the girl but there are no acceptable reasons that justify FGM”.
Flame mentioned that FGM is a harmful practice that has no health benefits, adding that they are prepared to work with communities to end FGM in Grand Bassa.
“This project targets female practitioners or zoes, Media, Security personnel, youth groups traditional leaders and many others”, He said.
Madam Setta Fofana Saah, National Coordinator of the Traditional Council of Liberia mentioned that all FGM practices have been ordered closed.
She mentioned that girls need to be educated though the tradition is important.
Madam Saah added ” This project is just in line with our plans and so we as traditional leaders will work with them to ensure that the objective of the project is met “.
Meanwhile, Eddie Williams, Grand Bassa Information Officer assured the organizations that the County leadership is willing to work with the team.
He mentioned that it is of significance to gather the views of stakeholders to have FGM eradicated from Liberia.
The project is being sponsored by a group called Amplify- Change UK.
