A staff of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office has alarmed over what she calls the rising tides of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Liberia; especially in rural communities.
Madam Leemu McKay-Doe said the rate which young girls mainly teenagers are being conscripted into the Sande Society and subsequently through the process of genital mutilation is scaring.
“Every day, we get reports of kids being taken out of schools and out of their homes in our villages and towns and put into the Sande bush “ Madam McKay-Doe accentuated.
Speaking at a forum in the township of Saimay, Bong County, Madam McKay-Doe noted that these children are being denied education only to be put through the horror of FGM.
The forum was attended by mainly women, some key traditional leaders of rural communities.
Referring to the women at the forum, McKay-Doe said, “we all have a responsibility to help our girl children from living through the horror of FGM “
In attendance also were representatives from women’s groups such as the women NGOs secretariat WONGOSOL and ORWOCH
She went on to say “we want to mobilize women and girls in this community to join the campaign to end FGM.”
But even as she made this pronouncement, our reporter on the scene said there were visible signs of dislike in the audience as many of the traditional women began to mummer.
According to our reporter, a lady in the crowd shouted “don’t talk about our tradition like that “another added “this is talking to much here. who does she think she is “ 
Our reporter mentioned that apparently noticing the discomfort in the audience, Madam McKay-Doe called for calm.
“My people let’s take it easy. What I am saying here today is in the best interest of all of us women. “
She then explained that one of her roles at the Peacebuilding Office was to help mediate social disputes in communities.
“And in this role, I have heard cases mainly centered on how some men have been disenchanted over the forceful recruitment of their daughters into the Sande bush. “
“This practice is breaking down families and hurting many young girls “Madam McKay-Doe further asserted.
She then disclosed that her message is not aimed at witch-hunting anyone but to send out a rallying call for everyone to join the campaign against FGM.
“I previously worked with as a Program Officer for Child Abuse and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) desk at the Foundation for the Rights of Women and Children (FRWC) “She announced.
Madam McKay-Doe then revealed that her role at the Foundation for the Rights of Women and Children (FRWC) brought her face-to face with victims of FGM.
“During my time at FRWC, I saw first- hand, the trauma that many of those experienced FGM had to live through “Madam McKay -Doe explained.
She revealed that “those have not recovered from the trauma. Some of them are in their thirties and forties. And they still feel haunted by their experiences with FGM “
“Those women come crying and stating that their dignity was mortgaged. “
“Those women often blamed their parents for putting them through the horror they are facing today “McKay-Doe explained.
“Should we then sit allow this harmful practice to continue?”, McKay Doe asked to a then visibly silent hall.
She then expressed the hope that traditional leaders, influential women and other stakeholders will join the campaign to raise awareness on the harmful effects of FGM.
“This practice is hurting the health and social wellbeing of many our daughters and sisters.”
“How long can we allow this to continue?” McKay -Doe again asked.
“The time is now she said as she accentuated ‘women oh, women, let’s do something positive for the growth and development of women and girls and our beloved country-Liberia.” McKay-Doe trumpeted as she raised her hands gesturing for support for the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation in Liberia.
Our reporter however indicated that despite the rallying call by Madam McKay-Doe some women at the event seemed not so happy with what they called her bold rebuke of their widely held tradition -FGM.
“This girl talking plenty big, big things. “A lady wearing frown said.
“You can’t just come here and speak against our culture and tradition. That’s not fair at all “An elderly woman, probably in her late fifties or early sixties, claiming to be the chief female Zoe, shouted triggering then and commotion in the hall.
