MIA Warns Against Sande Society Practice In Rural Liberia.

By T. Ezekiel Geeplay 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has warned against the re-activation of the practice of traditional Sande society activities across the country.

The warning from the MIA comes following a temporarily suspension of the practice for three years imposed on February 4, 2022.

The MIA in a release dated Friday, September 20, 2024 said the Ministry’s attention is drawn to media reports that Sande society practice has been resumed in rural parts of the country, though the release was not specific of a particular area in the country where such activity is ongoing.

According to the MIA release, the Memorandum of Understanding remains in full force until otherwise for the period up until 2025, when the government shall review and subsequently adopt appropriate actions in line with Article 5(b) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.

Meanwhile, the Ministry urged all those concerned to respect the February 4, 2022 MOU and refrain from any act that undermines the spirit and intent of the mandate.

The Ministry further directs all Superintendents to take appropriate measures to ensure compliance, including investigations and report findings to the Ministry for punitive action against would be violators.

Sande is a women's initiation society in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. The Sande society initiates girls into adulthood by rituals including female genital mutilation.

It can be recalled on February 4, 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs through a Memorandum of Understanding jointly signed by the Ministry of Gender, Chief Zoes, and Women groups including Civil Society Organizations suspended all Sande society practice across the country for the period of three years.