By Kruah thompson

Monrovia- November 29, 2021: A mother of a 15 years old girl in Mount Blarclay has explained her ordeal with Sande Bush when her daughter was taken into it by some people in the community. The mother of the girl said the incident occur on September 28 2021 when the victim argued with another girl within her community. And Because of this, she was forcefully taken into the society bush.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Addressing Negative Practices Affecting women and girls in the Traditional Setting over the weekend at the one UN BUILDING. Deborah Parker who claims to be from mount Barclay and the mother of the victim unveils that When she got back home and heard what happen, she then decided to inform the police. But when she got to the station, the police notify her that it is not their responsibility to handle such an issue, recommending she reach the ministry of internal affairs.

Predicates on this she decided to reach the radio station to ask people to help rescue her daughter from the hand of those who took her away. While at the radio station she explains her stories and asks the government and the international community to come to her aid. She begs the International community and the press to please come to her aid, adding that She will not stop until those involved are punished.

Unfortunately, later that evening when she got back home from the station, people from the community, including her mother and sisters advice that what happens was not a radio issue and if she continue those people are going to kill her.
The next day Mr. William Jallah the director of cultural affairs visited her at her home in mount Barclay saying that he heard her story on the radio and he came to tell her sorry for what happened.
Interestingly He assures her that she was not going to pay a dam for the time the children will stay in the bush And that Hawa will take full responsibility for the five children.
‘She will be responsible for them.’ he says
Mr. Jallah told her to stay away from the press until the issue can be addressed. Further directing her to a lady who is responsible for signing in Liberia by the name of Masu Boikai
She claims Masu took her to more than three society bushes in mount Barclay until finally they were directed to a town chief who later shows them where the girls were carried.

Mother Deborah, then claimed to her almost surprise the lady who was present told them that the girls has already been initiated into the bush. “So I got so upset started crying asking them did you meet the parents before initiating them,” she said

In this case, she claims they apologize and brought out Kola and she refused. Saying that she will make a show that all those involved are punished.
Meanwhile, “Two days later, they started calling me we want food, lapper and alcohol” She then call the minister to explain what happened. He however says that Hawa is in their custody and everything will be settled.

Mother Deborah said that since she engaged with the minister, nothing has been done and that Hawa has not paid anything Dam to the children in the Bush, But yet the society bush keeps requesting palm oil, rice, and medication.
Meanwhile, she appreciates WAWUSU and THE GIRLS INITIATIVE for paying the children bush fees in other to come out.
the chairperson of the national female genital mutilation working group and Co-Chair of the Spotlight National Civil and Co-Chair of the Spotlight National Civil Society Reference Group
Society Reference Group
Tamba Johnson condemn the action in all stronger since adding that no one should be castrated into any sandy activities against the consent of the person or the parent.

He says this has been their advocacy over the year to ensure that there’s a law that is been crafted in the hearing to international best practice to end the practice of FGM in Liberia.

“In 2016 we did a drift bill of which was event shear with the UN for their Import, that bill is still available.” He said the bill needs to be looked at and passed to the legislature so that it can be passed into law to criminalize FGM in Liberia.

Meanwhile, he claims the traditional console of chief and elders signed a commitment that suspended the practice of FGM for one year. Adding that this expires in June 2020.
“any country with our a law that country becomes lawless .”

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the national council of chief and elders of Liberia (NACCEL) condemn the art, saying that when the information reaches their office they immediately call them and question them. Adding that some of the things they said to them were denial.

“On a serious not forceful initiation is not our culture it is not our tradition that while it was clear. “

However, she says the government has legalized and commercialized these practices that why you find it difficult to see the government just coming up abruptly to take action and that is why “we the tradition leader we push through the gover