MONROVIA –, before being replaced by George Weah in earlier this week, former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has signed an executive order banning the practice of circumcision in women or the generally recognized by the name of female genital mutilation (FGM). A temporary moratorium that has been signed by Sirleaf last week that applies within 12 months.
The executive is the last act taken by Sirleaf for serving as president. However, an activist right wing claimed that such action is the possibility can not be forced and it is strong enough to prevent the public to practice FGM.
"Even if we praised former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to sign orders, the Executive on the Bill Violence In Household, was too early to celebrate because there is still a long road before there is no tolerance of FGM in Liberia," said activist anti FGM, Grace Uwizeye as reported by RT, Friday (26/1/2018).
" The law itself is not strong enough to deter the practice FGM. If someone is found guilty, the judge can determine whether the sentence given to the perpetrators of such counseling or a fine, " he continued.
Moratorium signed Sirleaf to make the practice of FGM of women under the age of 18 years as a crime and requires approval by the concerned if committed against women. It was reported that 50 percent of the population of women in Liberia has been undergoing the procedure FGM.
FGM is defined as "procedures that intentionally change or cause the wound on the sex organs of the women of a non-medical," and is usually done between infancy and age of 15 years. This procedure has no health benefits for women, both adults and children and can cause bleeding, cyst, infection, and cause complications in childbirth and an increased risk of death of newborn babies.
The new Liberia, George Weah in is expected to be able to continue steps that have taken Sirleaf and continued to press the FGM with a permanent.