International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

The Liberian government will not outlaw female genital mutilation unless the move is backed by the public.

According to Setta Saah of the National Traditional Council of Liberia, the procedure has been performed in the country for the last 1,000 years, the Globe and Mail reports.

This, she said, means the government is unlikely to actively ban it "without the approval of the people".

Fellow council member Ella Coleman expressed similar views, arguing that widespread consultations would need to be carried out beforehand.

She stressed that young girls are not under pressure to be circumcised, noting that children aged seven freely choose to undergo the procedure.

"Nobody is forcing them - this is our tradition and this is how we live," Ms Coleman said.

However, Unicef has argued that the procedure can result in serious health complications for women and their children.

The group has described female genital mutilation as violation of the rights of young females and a "manifestation of gender discrimination".

Posted by Paul Robertson