Liberian President George Manneh Weah has vowed to end violence against Women and girls as reaffirmed his government’s commitment and concrete support for measures aimed at ending the menace.
He added as a “HeForShe” Champion, he remains committed to upholding the dignity of human rights and safeguarding those he called the most “vulnerable population” — women, girls and children.
Addressing the legislature at his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) president Weah disclosed that his stance on Violence and abuse on Women and girls will not be overemphasized, while adding that the administration will continue to tackle SGBV endlessly and ensured that no perpetrators of Sexual gender-based violence shall go unpunished.
Weah said, thought significant progress has been made in the fight against Sexual Gender- based- Violence (SGBV), but his government will not relent in penalizing perpetrators of ‘unlawful’ act against Women and girls.
“I am pleased to report that significant progress is being made to make this a reality.
With the emergence of the COVID-19 when most women and girls were confined in their homes, there was a steep increase in the reporting of sexual and gender-based violence cases due to the heightened awareness that we conducted in communities and at the grass-root level”, Weah added.
With this Weah said as a result of awareness on SGBV the practice has significantly reduced cases as of December of 2021 as compare to the reports of 2020 December.
“We have been able to raise awareness among communities about the referral systems, the government’s anti-Sexual and Gender Based Violence Call Center and can ensure its functionality”, the president added.
Traditional leaders helping the fight against SGBV
According to the president, traditional and religious leaders are also beefing up the efforts to change the story and narratives of survivors and victims of SGBV as well as supporting prevention efforts of sexual and gender-based violence.
More than 1,300 cases of SGBV were reported in September 2020, however, the Liberian president in his annual message clarified that his government is mostly concerned about response to sexual and gender-based violence, which prompted the setting up of the Presidential Taskforce on Sexual and Gender Based Violence through the implementation of the “Government of Liberia and Partner’s Anti-Sexual and Gender Based Violence Roadmap 2020-2022”.
The Weah government in 2020 procured a DNA machine to aid in evidence gathering of related sexual and gender-based violence cases, something the president said has boosted the fight against SGBV.
There have been numerous protestations against the increased in rape and sexual based violence against women and children in Liberia aimed at drawing government’s attention.
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