06/01/2023
Liberia’s Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor says the government of Liberia has begun talks with traditional leaders in an effort to scrutinize the practice of Female Ge***al Mutilation across the Country.
Speaking recently in Gbarnga, B**g County Madam Taylor stressed the need for traditional leaders to begin adopting other methods that would further prevent the practice from hampering and interfering with the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and young girls across the Country.
Madam Taylor narrated that all health indications and medical examinations about Female Ge***al Mutilation have proven that the practice has a long-term consequences on the reproductive rights of women.
She however indicated that medical reports and through examination by health practitioners has indicated that majority of the women who undergo FGM in most cases suffered and died during child birth, a situation in which the Vice President said has the propensity to prevent women from reaching their full potentials.
Madam Taylor said, while it is true that the government of Liberia wholeheartedly adored the practice of female grooves in Liberia, it was also seriously concerned about most of the women and young girls whose rights have continued to be violated as the result of the practice.
Though the Vice President was not definite as to what efforts is being made by the government of Liberia through other relevant ministries and agencies in curbing practice, but reiterated calls for traditional to do away with FGM and conform with other best practices that would further prevent the practice from endangering the lives of females in Liberia.
Madam Taylor's statement was contained in a keynote address she delivered at a 4 Youth Summer Camp organized by Messengers of Peace at the St. Paul Seminary Compound, Catholic Diocese of Gbarnga, B**g County.
The event which was held under the theme “Youth Security, Reform, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights” brought together scores of young people from across the Country and was part of effort by Messengers of Peace to increase the capacities of young people in order to promote peace co-existence during and after the impending general and presidential elections in Liberia.
