How to Cite this Article: Augustine K. Ballah, "The Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in the Paynesville Community, Liberia", Science Journal of Medicine and Clinical Trials, Volume 2016, Article ID sjmct-235, 13 Pages, 2016. doi: 10.7237/sjmct/235 Science Journal of Medicine and Clinical Trials Published By ISSN: 2276-7487 Science Journal Publication http://www.sjpub.org International Open Access Publisher © Author(s) 2016. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Research Article The Practice of Female Genital Mutilation in the Paynesville Community, Liberia By Augustine K. Ballah, 4 th Year Medical Student Hebei University, Baoding, China 071002 Email: ausubala@yahoo.com Accepted on November 30, 2015 Abstract: 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. Keyword: Female genital mutilation (FGM), Female Circumcision, Ethnic groups, Practice, Prevalent Introduction Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the deeply rooted traditional and cultural practices surrounded by secrecy and superstition. FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the female external genitalia and or injury to the genital for cultural or any non- therapeutic reasons. In the Liberian society, where FGM is practiced it is usually associated with the rite of passage of girl into adult womanhood; and involved preparing them for their future roles as wives and mothers. Therefore these girls and their families are taught into believing that they are doing themselves and their families a social good by going through the ordeal. In Liberia, FGM is performed on female children, teenagers and women. It is usually performed by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA’s), midwives, or elderly women (Zoes who are believed to possess mystical powers) under poor conditions using knives, scissors, scalpels, razor blades and no anesthesia. FGM may be performed immediately after birth, during infancy or during adulthood, but it is preferably done between 5- 14years. There are typically two types of FGM practiced within Liberia. The first is Excision, which involved the removal of the clitoris and the labia minora but leaving the labia majora intact. The second form of FGM practiced in Liberia is the minor form referred to as clitoridectomy, where only the clitoris is removed, leaving the labia minora and labia majora intact. However, the usual form of FGM practiced in Liberia is the milder form referred to as Clitoridectomy (Marpleh et al, 1998). There are sixteen (16) ethnic groups in Liberia, out of which only four (4) do not practice Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The FGM-free ethnic groups are the Grebo, Kru, Surpo, and Americo Liberian, (Devine, 1990). The ritual itself is surrounded by high degree of secrecy and those initiated are sworn to secrecy, hence, there had been a reluctance on the part of most of them to talk about the ordeal, but generally, the quality of life has improved due to education and information; new technologies and services, some have accepted these changes even if it meant changing some of their traditional beliefs and practices. Despite the fact that FGM is a taboo subject, there are females including some of those that were initiated that can now discuss about the ordeal even to opposite sex (men) especially the literate women. Many individuals have also expressed the need to enact legislation to discourage or to prohibit the practice of FGM, terming the practice as harmful and detrimental to the health and wellbeing of females and that it is a form of human right violation. Objective of the Study The objectives of this study are as follow: 1. To obtain factual information on the practice of FGM in the Paynesville Community 2. To determine the prevalence of FGM in the Paynesville Community and the minimum age it is practice 3. To determine the type of FGM that is common to