The #WeAreUnProtected Campaign with support from the Amplifying Rights Network kicks off the observance of the annual 16days of Activism campaign in Bo Waterside, Grand Cape Mount County.
The ceremony began with a parade from the border checkpoint at Bo Waterside to the Town Hall. The ceremony included women groups, young people, the traditional leaders and elders from the community. The brief indoor ceremony included an overview of the 16days, a brief background of the #WeAreUnProtected Campaign and remarks from stakeholders calling for the duty bearers to “#
FixTheSystem and strengthen the implementation of laws and policies. Making the welcome remarks, the Executive Director of Sister Hand Liberia, Madam Miatta Gray said the people of Bo Waterside community are willing to work with the WeAreUnprotected Campaign to ensure Violence Against Women and other forms of Gender Based Violence. She encouraged the community dwellers to join the campaign to end violence against women and Girls, adding that Gender-based violence knows no boundaries – it transcends geographical, cultural, affecting individuals irrespective of age, or social status. Making opening remarks the chair of Amplifying Rights Network Madam Naomi Tulay Solanke said educating communities about the various forms of gender-based violence and their profound impact on individuals and society is everybody business. She was firmed in saying that questioning and dismantling harmful gender stereotypes that perpetuate violence and inequality requires community engagement thus assuring the community that the Amplifying Rights Network and the Unprotected campaign will remain engaged with the community.
Making remarks on behalf of the Amplifying Rights Network, Madam Aminata Kamara Sneh said the issue of GBV is not one group of people problem. She encouraged community dwellers to share the message they are receiving from the gathering. “please share the message with some of your people that did not come today because they are busy” Madam Sneh added. Hawa Wilson Ocansey giving an overview of The #16Days of Activism, said the 16days of activism is global campaign that requires countries to provide crucial platform to shed light on the alarming prevalence of GBV and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. She said the reason for selecting Grand Cape Mount is based on the 2023 statistics put Grand Cape Mount amongst the first five couties with the highest numbers. Serving as the Keynote speaker Madam Mamu Passewe the community women chair said that violence range from physical and sexual violence to emotional and economic abuse, the spectrum of GBV is vast, necessitating a comprehensive and collaborative response including the community adding that violence happens on the daily basis especially physical violence including battering. “everyday we can be at the police station trying settle cases of a man beating his wife” she added. Addressing the issue of SRHR and GBV, she began her remarks on throwing additional light on the rape. She stressed on the age of consent and encouraged community dweller to no compromise rape cases. She said SRHR and GBV requires a comprehensive and intersectional approach that considers the social, cultural, economic, and political factors contributing to both. Promoting gender equality, human rights, and access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services is fundamental to preventing and addressing GBV. “Rape business is not family matter ..Report it” she also expanded on Menopause and advice women on what to do. She closed by that encouraging community dwellers to hold duty bearers accountable to legal and policy frameworks play a crucial role in addressing both SRHR and GBV Saliwu Passewe, the youth leader was glad that the discussion on GBV was brought to his community. “this topic is very important to us the young people in this community”. He said the community is a challenge with reporting because they have only two police officers. He stressed on teen sex workers in the community. He appeal that the campaign to work with sex workers to help them get integrated Answering questions from the audience, the chair of the Amplfying Rights Network Naomi linked GBV to SRHR adding that GBV can act as a significant barrier to accessing SRHR services. According to Madam Solonke, survivors may face physical, psychological, or social consequences that limit their ability to seek and receive reproductive health care, family planning, or information on sexual health. She added that societal norms and structures that perpetuate gender inequality can contribute to both restricted access to SRHR services and increased vulnerability to GBV. According to the Jan – August statistics 2023 from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection out of the 2,109 GBV cases reported, 68.5% / 1,446 accounts for rape. Including rape and Sodomy. 68% 1,440 accounting for under 18years old Nimba, Lofa, Grand Cape Mount and Montserrado Counties reporting the highest numbers while the global statistics shows that more than 1 in 3 women experience gender-based violence during their lifetime, more than 5 women or girls are killed every hour by someone in their own family and less than 40 per cent of women who experience violence seek help of any sort.
Violence against women and girls remains the most pervasive human rights violation around the world. Over the following 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Civil Society Organizations are asking governments, institutions, and citizens to show how much the world cares about ending violence against women and girls.
The “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness and taking action against one of the most pervasive human rights issues worldwide. Beginning on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concluding on December 10, International Human Rights Day, the campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address and eradicate gender-based violence (GBV) in all its forms.
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