Women NGO Secretarial of Liberia, WONGOSOL, has reemphasized its resoluteness to implement the three-year ban on Female Genital Mutilation by ensuring that traditional leaders are adequately supported through the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Project.
During a special interview with the media on Thursday, May 2, 2024, WONGOSOL Executive Director, Esther S.D. Yango noted that the project is necessary as an alternative livelihood for traditional leaders and Zoes, who are forerunners of the tradition.
She said they have already begun implementing skill developments in seven counties, with support from the United Nations Trust Fund.
Madam Yango furthered that she will work closely with the Government of Liberia to ensure that they live up to their commitment relative to the ban.
She noted that the project falls in line with the implementation of the three year ban on Female Genital Mutilation in Liberia.
For this reason, Yango said WONGOSOL is monitoring the implementation of the three year ban on FGM in line with its advocacy roles.
However, she maintained that WONGOSOL has noticed limited information surrounding the ban and are also working closely with the Zoes who are being used as messenger against said menace.
“We were able to protect one lady with her children and now that they are in safe homes, we are responding and working closely with community women to create awareness for them to see the effect of FGM,” Madam Yango maintained.
She indicated that with the funding from the UN Trust Fund, they are working in seven counties.
According to her, they are working through network members Sister-Hands Liberia, a partner on the project and Liberia Fair FGM Project, responsible for Grand Cape Mount County.
Recently, Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia ordered the release of Nora Sando who is the Chief Zoe, to produce the three girls along with a baby from the zoe bush that were forcefully initiated.
WONGOSOL is a coordinating body of women groupings in Liberia that was established since 1998 to coordinate the affairs of women in Liberia.
WONGOSOL is currently having over 250 women groupings from the 15 sub-division of Liberia.
