MONROVIA, LIBERIA-UN-Women Goodwill Ambassador to Africa is challenging the Continent’s Legislatures and Parliaments by passing laws that ban female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child marriages.

She, herself, a survival of FGM and child marriage, UN-Women Goodwill Ambassador, Jaha Dukureh, is in Liberia to strengthen the Country’s efforts in eliminating FGM and child marriage.

In an interaction with the Media Monday, November 21, 2022, Ms. Dukureh said: “I am baffled how politicians are not moving toward ending the practices for fear of vote loss in elections.”

Ms. Dukureh said community-based engagement is also another way that can be used to explain the importance of ending FGM and child marriage in Liberia and Africa.

The UN-Women Goodwill Ambassador disclosed plans to be instituted to maintain the good aspects of FGM, and eradicate the harmful ones.

Ms. Dukureh recommended introducing financial literacy, and capacity-building trainings in the bush schools for young women and not only teachings on how to be good house wives.

Meanwhile, UN-Women Goodwill Ambassador has expressed optimism that Liberia can be an example others can follow in ending FGM and child marriage.

She acknowledged the ban Liberia has placed on FGM as good step going forward, but urged citizens to hold their government accountable to ensuring the practice is totally ended.

Ms. Dukureh maintained that Liberia has the potential and opportunity to move faster than others to ending FGM, child marriages and all forms of abuses against women.

She then extended an olive branch to the Media, as a crucial partner in advocating FGM and child marriage, and reporting on issues that affect women in general.