National Coalition Against Harmful Practices Pushes for Women and Girls 'Protection Act' Passage

Monrovia, Liberia: The National Coalition Against Harmful Practices (NACAHP) has joined ranks with other advocacy groups calling for the swift passage of an act seeking to ban harmful traditional practices, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Liberia.

It can be recalled that in October 2025, President Joseph Boakai submitted a bill to the House of Representatives titled: "An Act to Ban Harmful Cultural Practices in Liberia." 

The proposed bill aims to criminalize FGM and child marriage, moving beyond previous temporary suspensions (moratoriums) to a permanent national law.

The National Coalition Against Harmful Practices, in a recent engagement with lawmakers, emphasized that the need to pass such a bill is no longer a cultural debate, but a matter of life, dignity, and human rights protection.

The advocacy group said a baseline survey conducted under the banner “Born Perfect Grand Finale: From Community Dialogue to National Action,” revealed that many citizens now see FGM as harmful and outdated.

NACAHP quoted a women’s advocate as saying: “Our girls are not born to suffer in silence". The organization furthered that data confirms women in rural areas have said the practice endangers health and violates basic rights.

The National Coalition Against Harmful Practices noted that the baseline survey report came after a five-county community consultation with rural women, traditional authorities, and civil society organizations.

Delivering the official position of the Joint Legislative Committee, Bong County District #6 Representative, Moima Briggs-Mensah expressed support for the proposed bill.

She said the Women and Girls Protection Act is designed to protect lives, not attack culture.

“We are not here to shame traditions; we are here to save girls,” she said. “This law must be firm in protecting rights, but respectful in how it engages our communities.”

She stressed that real change requires culturally sensitive messaging, grassroots involvement, and strong support systems such as education, healthcare, and alternative livelihoods.

“A law without support will fail, but a law backed by communities will transform the nation,” Briggs-Mensah warned.

Some lawmakers, however, called for the consultations to go beyond five counties. “How can we pass a national law without hearing from all fifteen counties?” one legislator asked, pushing for deeper public education and nationwide dialogue before final passage.

As the debate to eliminate FGM intensifies, the Legislature is at the center stage of what gender advocates say their decision would shape the future of Liberia’s women and girls.