By Monrovia, Liberia – In a concerted effort to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection launched the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” The campaign, held under the global theme “Unity Invest to prevent violence against Women and girls” and the national theme “Empower, Secure our Nation: invest locally to prevent violence against women and girls,” aims to raise awareness and address the growing concerns surrounding GBV.
During the launch, Minister Williamentta Saydee-Tarr unveiled alarming statistics, revealing that from January to August 2023, Liberia recorded 2,109 Gender-Based Violence cases. Montserrado, Nimba, Lofa, and Grand Cape Mount Counties reported the highest numbers, with Montserrado alone recording 1,223 cases. Shockingly, 68.5% of reported cases involved rape, gang rape, and sodomy, affecting 68% of survivors under the age of 18.
UN Women Country Representative, Madam Comfort Lamptey, stressed the need for stakeholders and partners, including the national government, to move beyond commitments and allocate resources for effective implementation. She acknowledged the Liberian government’s initial commitment of US$1 million towards the SGBV roadmap but emphasized the necessity for broader investments and support. Lamptey highlighted the importance of strengthening women’s rights organizations and building male allies to create a comprehensive strategy against GBV.
In response to the ongoing battle against Gender-Based Violence, Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador and Executive Director of Crusaders for Peace, Queen Julie Endee, emphasized the collective responsibility of both the government and the private sector. She underscored the need for collaborative efforts to effectively combat and eradicate Gender-Based Violence from Liberian society.
By: Alphanso G. Kalama
