Policy consultations with CSOs, development partners, government, and legislators in commemoration of FGM Day 2025. Credit: The Women's NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL).
Liberian women and girls hold immense potential to drive the country’s economic and social transformation. But harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) continue to hold them back compromising their health, limiting their educational and economic opportunities, and denying them the full exercise of their rights.
FGM is more than a human rights violation—it’s a barrier to Liberia’s sustainable and inclusive growth. It inflicts chronic pain, infection, hemorrhage, complications during childbirth, and even death. Survivors often grapple with psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and lack of access to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services they need to heal and thrive. The social and health costs are enormous, and they continue to perpetuate gender inequality.
A longstanding barrier to health and economic participation
The Government of Liberia has scaled its actions to improve gender equality. Liberia has shown commitment to improving gender equality through legislative and policy efforts on SRHR, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and harmful practices. However, despite strong international and regional commitments to gender equality, gender inequality persists at higher rates than the regional average. As it stands, gender-based violence (GBV) is widespread; Liberia ranked 60.0 out of 100.0 at Women, Business, and the Law which is lower than the global average (64.2) and women's safety and protection against GBV scoring was the lowest score for the country. 61% of women in Liberia experience physical or sexual violence, and about one in three women have experienced FGM, with higher rates - up to 52% - in rural areas and among women without education. Recent data shows that over 28% of girls aged 15-19 have been cut. These figures are not just numbers; they represent real girls whose lives are being limited by pain, fear, and silence.
A Joint Commitment to Change
The Government of Liberia, AFELL, and The World Bank, and other international, national and local partners are working hand in hand to change this narrative. Together, we are advancing legal and policy reforms, strengthening community engagement, and amplifying the voices of survivors to end FGM and unlock the potential of Liberia’s women and girls.
Through the Development Policy Financing (DPF) program, Liberia has prioritized reforms to outlaw FGM and reinforce systems that support girls’ empowerment. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), with support from AFELL and local organizations, is leading efforts to provide legal aid, psychosocial support, and safe spaces for survivors, while ensuring that new laws are culturally sensitive and enforceable.
These policy dialogues are shifting perspectives, fostering community ownership of solutions, and opening pathways for girls to stay in school, pursue vocational training, and enter the workforce. The creation of an inter-ministerial FGM Working Group is reinforcing collaboration across sectors to ensure no girl is left behind.
Investing in girls’ futures
Legal reforms do more than criminalize FGM—they create the enabling environment for girls to lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Initiatives like the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), supported by the World Bank, integrate FGM prevention with transforming social norms, education, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, helping girls break free from cycles of vulnerability and poverty.
Expanding access to justice, legal aid, and essential health services is a core part of this strategy. These investments aim to shift the narrative from girls being seen as economic liabilities to recognizing them as drivers of positive change in their communities.
A call to action for a healthier, more Inclusive Liberia
Recent cases—including the mutilation of a minor in Margibi County and reports of mass initiations in bush schools—underscore the urgent need for action. These incidents violate girls’ rights and limit their ability to shape their future.
By aligning legal reforms with investments in health, education, and economic empowerment, Liberia can break the cycle of FGM and unlock opportunities for its girls and women. This work is not just about laws—it’s about changing mindsets, transforming communities, and building a future where every girl can reach her full potential.
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