Assessing the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in the Paynesville Community, Liberia

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), sometime referred to as female circumcision is one of the deeply rooted traditional and cultural practices which long existed in Liberia and the African continent. Various forms of the practice are still prevalent amongst a number of ethnic groups in Liberia. FGM is regarded as sensitive topic because of the high degree of secrecy surrounding its performance. In an attempt to study the practice of FGM in the Paynesville community, a standard questionnaire was administered to a sample size of 409 females in eight communities in Paynesville. The communities chosen were ELWA Community, Joe Bar, and 72nd, Jacob Town, Red Light/Gobachop, Pipeline, Soul Clinic, and Cocoa Cola Factory. Out of the 409 female interviewed, result of the study revealed that 43.03% (176) of the female interviewed practiced FGM. Ethnic groups that have the highest positive respondents included the Gbandi, Kpelle, Gio, Lorma, Vai, Mano, Bassa and Kissi. The Americo- Liberians, Kru, Sarpo and Grebo ethnic groups represented the highest negative respondents to the practice of FGM. A large proportion of the respondents was strongly against the practice of FGM for reasons ranging from painfulness of the act, difficulty during deliver, social, religious, physical and psychological trauma including fistula. Notwithstanding, some were supportive of the practice because of strong traditional influence and belief that it is part of their cultural heritage. FGM is a ritual with some health and psychological consequences and needs to be discouraged. However, the other aspects of the ceremony associated with FGM that has to do with the cultivation of virtues need to be maintained.