Gambia Protests FGM Death as Practice Resurges in President Boakai’s Liberia
- Michael T
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
Liberia is witnessing a resurgence of female genital mutilation (FGM), as its West African counterpart, Gambia, erupted in protest after a one-month-old girl died from the practice in early August 2025. Anti-FGM organizations filled Gambia’s streets, condemning the deadly tradition and demanding strict enforcement of the existing national ban, which survived a repeal attempt in parliament just last year. These groups argue FGM is violence, not culture, and its health dangers are both immediate—death, hemorrhage, trauma—and lifelong, including increased risk of infections, obstetric complications, and psychological harm.
Meanwhile, in Liberia, the picture is alarmingly different. The archaic practice, once declared banned by the National Council of Chiefs and Elders in February 2023—a move widely hailed by international partners and rights groups—is surfacing again, particularly after President Boakai took office. Just weeks ago, a video of 502 Bush school graduates, mostly underage girls, emerged from Konia in Lofa County, President Boakai's home region. In these “bush schools,” FGM is a centerpiece ritual, designed to induct girls into traditional societies despite national and international condemnation.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis Nyumalin, has reportedly suspended local officials linked to the incident, while the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection took to Facebook, voicing outrage over this fresh wave of initiations, but many believe these government actions are superficial to cover up. The “courage” to resume bush school graduations appears to have roots in President Boakai's own membership in the male-only Poro society—a powerful traditional network. This connection has emboldened local practitioners, who view his presidency as a green light for FGM’s resurgence, especially in counties under strong traditional influence.
Liberia’s legal stance, however, remains complicated. The February 2023 ban was a landmark step, but it was decreed by traditional authorities rather than through national legislation. As of August 2025, there is no fully enforced law criminalizing FGM nationwide. An Anti-FGM bill has been drafted but not enacted by the legislature, leaving girls largely unprotected except in counties where local chiefs have closed bush schools or suspended the practice. FGM persists in 11 out of Liberia’s 15 counties, with over half of women aged 15–49 estimated to have undergone it.
The recent graduation of hundreds of girls from bush schools—and the continued posting of video evidence—demonstrates that rituals linked to FGM remain stubbornly entrenched, especially where political and traditional interests align. As tragic headlines from Gambia depict the lethal consequences, Liberia’s leadership faces mounting pressure to pass and enforce meaningful laws protecting girls against this deadly, abusive tradition.
FGM is not a symbol of culture—it is a dangerous act that kills, scars, and traumatizes. Until Liberia moves beyond symbolic bans and enacts real legislation, the nation’s girls will continue to pay the price, with traditional power shielding the practice rather than ending it.
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Additional Sources:
https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/articles/uphold-the-ban-on-fgmc-the-gambia/
https://www.spotlightinitiative.org/news/end-bush-school-human-rights-violations-liberia
https://wildaf-ao.org/en/unveiling-the-hidden-story-behind-fgm-ban-in-liberia/
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/4/14/it-is-time-liberia-enacts-legislation-banning-fgm
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/04/19/gambia-bill-threatens-female-genital-mutilation-ban
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