Kulah prevented the genital mutilation of four girls

Late at night, the phone rings and the person on the other end says that four girls have been kidnapped. In response, Kulah Borbor quickly jumps into a car with a team from the West Point Women for Health and Development organization.

After hours of travelling, they arrive in the village where the girls are said to have been taken. At 5:30, they arrive at the last minute to find the girls shivering in distress in the cold morning, just outside the house where the cutting is carried out.

Kulah talks to the local leader to try to prevent the procedures. Having been through the procedure herself, she uses every possible argument to persuade the kidnappers not to go ahead with their plans, emphasising the dangers of the operation.

“They listened to me. Now the girls are in a new place, where they are safe.”

Those who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) are part of a community. Kulah was able to reach those planning the mutilation because she herself is part of it, giving her a position to negotiate and be heard.

Fighting for change in the most vulnerable areas.

Kulah Borbor's is a member of the West Point Women for Health and Development organization (WPWHDO.) The organisation operates in one of Liberia's poorest and most densely populated areas, West Point. 

Today, Liberia is one of three West African countries without a law criminalising female genital mutilation. WPWHDO works for change through education and political advocacy, with support from RFSU. 

Challenges to push change

Almost four out of ten girls and women in Liberia have undergone some form of FGM, where parts of the genitals are cut. Despite growing opposition to the procedure, it has been difficult to push for change as it is considered highly culturally sensitive.

The FGM is carried out by the Sande, a closed society of women, who hold a multi-week initiation rite where girls become women. It serves as an education where the girls learn things that are considered important to be a good woman, such as how to take care of their home, how to be a “good wife and mother”. Part of the initiation rite is genital mutilation.

Kidnappings also occur, as in the case of the four girls. It can happen if someone does something that offends the Sande community, using inappropriate language or openly questioning the Sande Society. The initiation rites come with a cost. If the fees are not paid, they can detain girls and young people against their will. They may also demand the same or higher fees in cases of kidnapped girls.

Although it is known what the Sande Society does, kidnapping cases are generally not prosecuted. This is because the Sande Society plays an important role in Liberia, politically, socially, and economically for some.

Aminata Kamara is RFSU's focal person in Liberia. RFSU supports and works closely with Liberian organisations working to stop female genital mutilation. She says:

“FGM is counterproductive to gender equality and is a violation of human rights. The practice has no health benefits for girls and women since it causes lifetime health complications and a lot of trauma. Additionally, because the initiation is often seen as a rite of passage into womanhood, it can be an immediate precursor to child marriage in some cases.”

Collective abandonment effective

To stop FGM there is a need for increased knowledge and changes in deep-rooted social norms. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and many experts, the most effective way to stop FGM is for whole communities to collectively decide to end it. This collective abandonment ensures that no girl or family will be disadvantaged by the decision. The work must be rights-based and long-term.

Mary S. Wiah, a senior member of the WPWHDO has her own answer on how to stop FGM. To bring about change, it is difficult to ban something completely. Instead, you have to work constructively.

“Firstly, I think we should keep parts of the initiation rite, because there are parts that I think are good. Then we replace the harmful parts like female genital mutilation with some kind of education, for example sewing. Then international organisations need to continue working with us to stop FGM.”

Liberia is a signatory to international agreements that prevent FGM, but it still hasn't managed to push through the legislation that has been proposed. However, the country has signed international agreements aimed at preventing FGM. It is a step in the right direction that Liberia's National Traditional Council met in both 2023 and 2024 and now publicly supports a ban on FGM.

Photo and text: Emma Güntner