By: Archie Boan
Representative Robert Flomo Womba of Bong County Electoral District #4 has announced the commencement of a major district-wide consultation on the proposed bill currently before the National Legislature seeking to ban harmful cultural practices against women and girls. The lawmaker said the sensitive nature of the legislation requires broad community engagement, especially in regions where traditional culture remains central to everyday life.
Representative Womba, who represents Zota, Panta, and Mequelleh, areas recognized for their strong cultural traditions said it is his constitutional and moral duty to ensure that the people he serves have a direct voice in shaping national decisions that affect their identity, livelihood, and communal harmony.
“My district consists of eight clans with rich customs that have shaped our way of life for generations,” the Representative stated. “Because this proposed bill touches the very foundation of those traditions, I will take it to my people in all eight clans for broader consultations. Elders, women, youth, traditional leaders, and every interested stakeholder must be heard. Their views will guide my final position.”
The bill, which has sparked national debate, seeks to eliminate practices deemed harmful to women and girls. While many Liberians support the legislation as a step toward protecting vulnerable groups, others insist that any conversation about cultural reform must be fair and inclusive.
Representative Womba echoed these sentiments, noting that many residents in his district have expressed concerns about the selective scrutiny of traditional practices while certain foreign influences continue to flourish without legislative attention.
According to the lawmaker, if the Legislature must debate and regulate aspects of Liberian culture, it should also be willing to confront emerging Western beliefs and behaviors that many citizens consider contrary to the nation’s values. He referenced increasing advocacy around issues such as homosexuality, lesbianism, and same-sex relationships, which he said are seen by many traditional communities as challenges to Liberia’s moral and cultural fabric.
“Fairness requires consistency,” he emphasized. “If harmful cultural practices must be reviewed, then foreign practices and behaviors that are undermining our values and affecting our young people should also be placed before the Legislature for action. Our people are watching these shifts with concern, and their voices deserve to be heard at the national level.”
He assured constituents that the consultations will be open, respectful, and comprehensive. He added that the goal is to strike a balance between protecting the rights and safety of women and girls while preserving cultural dignity and addressing new pressures brought about by globalization.
At the conclusion of the consultation process, the Representative said he will present a report to the National Legislature reflecting the true consensus of the eight clans he represents.
“I remain committed to protecting the interests of my people,” Rep. Womba stated. “Their cultural values matter, their voices matter, and the laws we make must reflect the collective good of our nation”, he concluded.
