Liberia on Thursday imposed a one-year ban on Female Genital Mutilation, a highly contentious issue in the West African country, but campaigners said it may not be enforceable. The ban came into force after former leader Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf signed an executive order before stepping down. The ban makes it an offence to perform FGM on anyone under 18 but it can still be carried out on adults with their consent. Mackins Pajibo of Liberian group Women Solidarity Incorporated said the ban was good news, but probably not enforceable. Lakshmi Moore, acting country director with ActionAid, said there was a lot to do in 2019 to push for a permanent and enforceable ban.

Source: GNN Liberia January 26, 2018 08:06 UTC