By: Benjamin Beibah & Evelyn Kadeh Seagbeh
In observance of this year’s International Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Medica Liberia, Community Healthcare Initiatives (CHI) in collaboration with the National Campaigners Against Harmful Practices, have rolled out the “Born Perfect and Stay Perfect” Bus Caravans Campaign.
The campaign is part of a series of activities commemorating this year’s Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as part of national efforts that are geared towards Liberia to officially ban harmful practices.
The campaign is expected to go across all the 15 counties, but was firstly rollout in Bong, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount led by the National Ciliation Against Harmful Traditional Practices (NCAHP).
The Born Perfect and Stay Perfect” Bus Caravans of the anti-FGM Campaign brought together authorities from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, FGM survivors, traditional leaders, and members of some civil society organizations, among others.
The three-counties caravan tour was made possible by the United Nations, the Irish Embassy, and the Global Campaigners working with CHI, Medica Liberia, and NACAHP is creating mass awareness across towns and villages about harmful traditional practices and the need to protect girls and women against harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage.
Speaking at the launch of the “Born Perfect and Stay Perfect” Carava Bus Campaign, the lead campaigner and head of the National Coalition Against Harmful Practices, Marian Deah said their goal is to sustain the advocacy to see the Girls and women protection action passed.
“This bus is just starting, and it’s not going to stop until what we are advocating for is achieved.” Marian Deah said.
The campaign also saw in attendance religious leaders, women, and young people joining a years-long effort to challenge cultural practices that have long endangered girls’ and women’s health and rights. They say, they want healthy, and dignified and future for Liberian women, while calling for the positive aspects of the Liberian couture to be maintained.
“We were born perfect; nothing on us should be removed. We can get rid of this harmful part of our culture and still teach young women how to respect the elderly, and keep other good aspects of our culture without cutting girls.” Marian Deah stressed in her closing remarks in Totota over the weekend.
At each stop, the campaigners engaged communities in open discussions on the dangers of FGM, the importance of protecting women and girls’ rights, and the need to replace harmful traditions with positive cultural values.
Campaign Team Head Aisha Kamara informed participants that the tour also seeks to create awareness and to remind women and girls that they are complete and valuable just as they are.
“The Born Perfect Bus Tour was heading for Palala, Gbarma, and Lofa Bridge, encouraging women and girls to stay perfect just as they were born,” Kamara said.
She added that the campaign is meant to change the future of Liberian girls by helping them grow into educated individuals and confident decision-makers instead of being trapped by practices that deny them opportunity.
Also speaking, Aminata Kamara, Head of Office, RFSU, and also a campaigner, described girls and women as essential actors in Liberia, describing them as humans that were made perfect; as such, they should remain as that.
“This bus will carry a powerful message, as it goes from community to community, and that message is that every child is born perfect, and every person is born perfect; therefore, they deserve to grow up free from harmful practices. Kamara said.
Wrapping up her remarks, she then told the gathering that the bus will not only carry the message through the various communities, but it will break the silence and myths around FGM.
The Lead Campaigner, Marian Deah, said the awareness drive is also closely linked to national legislation currently before the House of Representatives. “This campaign intends to put an end to harmful traditional practices through awareness about the Women and Girls Act of 2025,” Deah explained.
She said the proposed bill was submitted by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai after he committed in New York to ending all forms of harmful practices against women and girls in Liberia.
In Palala, Bong County, a 10th-grade dropout, Obey Konah shared her painful story of being bullied for refusing to undergo FGM. “People called me names and pressured my mother to raise money so I could go through the process,” she said.
Obey said the Born Perfect awareness has given her the confidence to reject the practice. “I have learned that I don’t need to harm my body to go through FGM. Now I am ready to encourage my friends to stay perfect,” she added.
In Gbarma, Gbarpolu County, agricultural technician Emmanuel Blamo urged women and girls to focus on education and innovation instead of harmful rituals. “Harmful traditional practices will not take our girls forward, knowledge and opportunity will,” Blamo said.
At Lofa Bridge, Grand Cape Mount County, Madam Sando T. Daffa, Vice President of the Rural Women, said community leaders would need time to consult with elders and zoes before taking a unified position on ending the practices.
Despite these challenges, the Born Perfect Bus Tour has marked a major step in Liberia’s fight against FGM, as traditional leaders, government officials, and communities increasingly commit to protecting girls and ensuring every child grows up safe, educated, and born perfect.
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