General
Source: Heritage
A non- governmental organization, Women Against Female Genital Mutilation (WAFGEM), has embarked on a major campaign in the country aimed at sensitizing women on the harmful effect of female mutilation and the enforcement of laws to be enacted.
Among other things, WAFGFM is involved in the eradication of female genital mutilation as well as sensitizing people, particularly girls and women on the harmful effect of female genital mutilation.
In a weekend interview with the Heritage at her head office on 12 Houses Road in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of WAFGFM, Madam Maima D. Robinson, said it is time that her organization reaches out to the public to sensitize girls and women on the harmful effect of female genital mutilation.
Said Madam Robinson: "WAFGEM will help survivors of FGM to overcome the trauma and stigma associated with the practice ,and also work with females who escaped from being genitally mutilated by their families." The WAFGEM boss pointed out that, Liberia remains slow in the process, while others African countries are legally against the practice.
She explained that the convention on the rights of the child, the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women among others explicitly recognize that practices harmful to women such as FGM are violations of human rights.
She said many African nations had taken steps, which include laws criminalizing FGM, education and outreach programs, and the use of civil remedies and administrative regulations to prevent the practice.
The CEO of WAFGEM further disclosed that her organization will work with others NGOs who have interest in the process.
Meanwhile, Madam Robinson has vowed that her organization will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that her campaign achieves its desired results.