Truth has power. Silence has limits. Mae Azango proved both


I Chose Truth Over Silence: The Story of Mae Azango, a Voice for the Voiceless



📰 

When journalism becomes courage, silence loses its power.



In March 2012, Mae Azango, a fearless Liberian journalist from FrontPage Africa, did something few dared to do — she publicly exposed the brutal practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in her country.


It wasn’t just an article.

It was a loud cry for change in a place where silence had been the norm for generations.





🔍 The Story That Broke the Silence



Mae’s report revealed a horrifying truth: young girls in Liberia were being forcibly subjected to FGM by traditional societies in secret ceremonies. She didn’t write from a distance. She shared the raw, painful voices of survivors—stories that had long been buried.


But telling the truth came at a price.


Soon after publishing her story, Mae faced death threats from members of the powerful Sande society, a traditional group protecting the practice. They warned her that she would be subjected to the same mutilation she dared to write about. She went into hiding with her daughter, moving from place to place, fearing for her life.


Yet Mae didn’t run from the story. She stood by it.


Her courage caught the world’s attention. International organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Amnesty International, and Reporters Without Borders spoke out in her defense, demanding protection for her and accountability for the harm caused to young girls.


Within weeks, something extraordinary happened:

The Liberian government suspended FGM practices for the first time in history.


Mae Azango didn’t just report a story. She changed it.





✨ Why Mae’s Story Matters



  • She gave a voice to the silenced.
  • She proved journalism can save lives.
  • She faced danger so that others wouldn’t have to.



Her bravery is a reminder that being a journalist is not just about writing—it’s about listening, standing up, and sometimes risking everything to speak the truth.





💬 Reader Reflection



  • Have you ever stayed silent about something that mattered because you were afraid of what people would say?
  • Whose stories in your community are still waiting to be told?

📲 Share This Story

If Mae’s courage inspires you, don’t let her story stop here.

📢 Share this blog on your WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook and be part of amplifying silent voices.

You never know who needs to hear it.


     Wani Tumalo Noel 


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