HOPE Launches Alternative Livelihood Program for Former FGM Practitioners

A non-profit organization, Helping Our People Excel Inc. (HOPE-Inc), has officially launched alternative livelihoods for former traditional practitioners, girls, and young women with the aim of contributing to ending female genital mutilation (FGM).

Acting Executive Director of Hope-Inc., Alfreda F. Nmah, said the initiative is intended to contribute to the prevention of FGM through the promotion of alternative economic empowerment for 100 former female traditional practitioners in four of the FGM-practicing counties.

Mrs. Nmah said the project, which is further aimed at enhancing girls and young women’s leadership, technical training, and life skills, targets four counties, including Nimba, Lofa, Montserrado, and Grand Cape Mount counties. 

“At the end of the project, 100 former traditional female practitioners will be equipped with vocational skills and small businesses. Additionally, the 100 beneficiaries will be equipped with small business start-up kits or grants,” she said.

Nmah further said the project will establish four girl clubs and train beneficiaries in life skills, sexual reproductive health and rights, and leadership development.

Chairman of the National Traditional Council of Liberia, Chief Zanzan Karwor, said they are exerting efforts with support from both the government and partners to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in Liberia.

Currently, four of the 11 counties practicing FGM have banned or closed FGM activities in Liberia, including Lofa, Nimba, Montserrado, and Grand Cape Mount Counties.  

Kawor, however, said there is a need to extend support to other counties that have yet to end FGM activities; something Kawor believes will push traditional practitioners to end the practice. 

“Our people believe that if someone has something in his or her hand and you take it away, you have to put something there for the person to use. This is why we continue to ask you people to support our people because we all committed to end this FGM business,” Kawor said.

Kawor calls for the establishment of additional heritage centers in the remaining seven counties, which are used for weaving, and other traditional practices, excluding cutting.

However, four heritage centers have already been established by UN Women with funding from the European Union and the United Nations through the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and harmful practices and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Deputy Head of Mission for Development at the British Embassy in Monrovia, Kate Thomson, said she believes that Liberia is the quickest country in the world to come from nowhere on banning FGM to such a position today.

Thomson said Liberia has made a tremendous achievement in addressing ‌FGM over the last 12 months while expressing gratitude to all stakeholders.

“Since the Council of Elders announced the ban on FGM 12 months ago, the speed has been incredible. We want to congratulate Chief Kawor for his leadership in ending FGM in Liberia, and we at the British Embassy are grateful to you,” Thomson said.

Thomson said there is a need for every little girl to have chances to acquire education and the freedom to fulfill their potential without any physiology or physical trauma, stating, “We need to look after Liberian children because they have had a lot of traumas.”

The representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Fatu M. Kamara, lauded HOPE and UN Women for their continued support in ending FGM.

Juli Endee, Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), calls on the Legislature to support the economic empowerment of former traditional practitioners.

“The Legislature needs to sustain what the donors have helped us build. We have four heritage centers in four counties, but we need to have centers in all the 11 counties for our people because of peace,” Madam Endee said. 

She added that history will remember Chief Kawor for supporting and additionally leading the effort to end FGM activities amidst criticism from his colleagues.