BY: Shallon S. Gonlor
NIMBA COUNTY:- Local stakeholders comprising of the Ministries of Health and Gender, including other relevant institutions and individuals, gathered at a one-day high-level conference organized by Women Passion Incorporated (WPI), a local NGO, in partnership with the World Health Organization to brainstorm and come up with sustainable and systemic solutions that would foster a safer environment to prevent Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH) are all forms of wrongdoing that involve taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability or using force, coercion, or manipulation for sexual gratification. These behaviors can only occur in various settings, including workplaces, schools, homes, and public spaces.
Held recently in the conference room of Dr. Bernice T. Dahn Multipurpose Building at the G.W.Harley Hospital in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, the initiative is a pilot project aimed to strengthen Health and Social Protection to mainstream a gender-respond policy for the prevention of and respond to sexual exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment encompasses unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating environment.
Giving the overview of the activity, the Executive Secretary General of Women Passion Incorporated, Jacqueline Carine Samuel disclosed that the pilot initiative will take effect in three health facilities, including Bain Gar, Sanniquellie Mah, and Gbehlay Geh Health Districts in Nimba County.
In Bain Gar, the activity will impact the Equip Clinic, Gbloyee Community Clinic, and the E&J Medical Center in Ganta City.
The activity will also impact the G.W.Harley Hospital in Sanniquellie and the Karnplay Comprehensive Health Center as health facilities under the Gbeh-lay Geh and Sanniquellie Mah Health Districts. She emphasized that they will work with the Ministry of Gender through the Child Welfare Committee in these three health districts in the county.
According to her, the activity intends to enhance coordination between the two ministries for them to adequately respond to or prevent the occurrence of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. “This activity marks the third high-level stakeholder engagement at the county level where we expect the County Health Officer – CHO to lead the discussion,” the Executive Secretary-General said.
She explained that the essence of the panel discussion is to stimulate the panelists who work as leaders in this area of humanity to bring out the challenges or to allow the participants to identify the gaps that could be strengthened for future partnership.
At the same time, Dr. Ponie Robertlee Dolo, the County Health Officer of Nimba wants all hands on deck to tackle SEAH.
Speaking when he delivered a keynote address during the high-level stakeholders engagement recently organized by Women Passion, the Nimba County Health Officer stressed the need for everyone to get involved in the fight against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment to create a safe space for everyone.
Referencing the United Nations survey report as contained in the concept note that gave rise to the activity, Dr. Dolo said the report indicated that 69% of Liberian women and girls aged 15-49 have experienced sexual violence. “Between 2017 and 2021, the reported cases of gender-based violence surged, only to decline later—not because SEAH was eradicated, but because silence and systemic barriers have kept survivors from speaking out” he recounted.
According to him, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment represent a violation of basic human rights, erode trust in institutions, and undermine Liberia’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.
Lamenting that for too long, survivors, especially women and girls have been silenced by fear, stigma, and insufficient institutional support.
He said the fight against SEAH cannot succeed without the involvement of everyone from government officials to community leaders, from social workers to healthcare providers. Dr. Dolo noted that it is only through collaboration, collective action, and shared responsibility that leads to the reduction and or eradication of SEAH in workplaces and the natural environment.
Stakeholders Call For More Policies to Strengthen Justice System
In line with efforts to eradicate every form of gender-based violence in the country, stakeholders in Nimba County have called on the government and lawmakers to establish more policies that will aid in strengthening the Liberian justice system.
The call was made during a day-long stakeholder discussion on the increasing rate of sexual and gender-based violence against women and vulnerable children in Liberia.
The group expressed worry that the high level of gender-based violence in the country has become too alarming for stakeholders to ignore.
Stating that said the group was earnestly advocating the full implementation of a national framework aimed to eliminate violence against women and children, ensuring the danger is curtailed in the country.
They warned that to end the threat, all stakeholders both at the national and grassroots level must join hands to demand justice for victims, aimed at pushing zero-tolerance for violence against women and children. “Therefore, all stakeholders at all levels including National, State, and Community must work together to strengthen access to justice”.
Highlighting that other stakeholders in the remaining counties of Liberia should be advanced to advocate for an improved justice system on gender-based violence, increase investment in service provision, amplify the role of women leaders and women-led organizations, and advocate for the implementation of key legislation.
Noting the inclusion of community education and provision of livelihood opportunities for survivors of GBV was essential to their integration into society.
The Nimba County’s stakeholders, however, asked the Liberian Government and international community to provide adequate and effective support that will help in responding to cases of sexual and gender-based violence across the country.
“The government and partners must respond now to providing adequate support that sustains the response mechanisms, women-focused development interventions, and activities at all levels, especially given a vital role in preventing violence against women and children and ensuring such preparedness against future violence.”
Transparency and Accountability in the Administration of Justice
A public scrutiny aimed at critiquing the legal process of the Sexual Offenses Division Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit in Sanniqullie, Nimba County has revealed substantial progress, promoting transparency and accountability in the justice system during the year under review.
In 2024, the court held four successive terms of court, including February, May, August, and November as per the statute, making a considerable strive in dispensing justice.
The court’s data gathered indicates that during the period under review, several related sexual offense cases were recorded, tried, and disposed of. The court heard about thirty-three cases, adjudged guilty, nine persons and sentenced to long prison terms based on the jury verdict and plea bargain agreement.
Underscoring its commitment as well as holding individuals accountable for their atrocity against women and children, the court sentenced defendants from 10 to 35 years in prison for behaviors exhibited contrary to the law.
There is no easy solution to ending sexual offenses against women and children; however, the ongoing efforts by the Sexual Offenses Division Court in Nimba County are milestone achievements, involving significant steps to help prevent and address sexual crimes in paving the way for future deterrence.
Established in December 2008 under new Chapter 25; Title 17 of the Liberian Code of Law Revised, the Sexual Offenses Division Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit of Nimba County exercises exclusive jurisdiction over all cases of sexual offense in the county.
Under Chapter 25.2, the statute provides special jurisdiction over the crimes of Rape, Gang Rape, Aggravated Involuntary Sodomy, Involuntary Sodomy, Voluntary Sodomy, Corruption of Minors, Sexual Abuse of Wards and Sexual Assault, and such other crimes as may from time to time be added as Sexual Offenses to Sub-Chapter D of Chapter 14 and 16 of the Penal Law as well as trafficking in persons that involve sexual offenses.
In response to urgent demands for improved judicial remedies to end sexual violence against women and girls, the Sexual Offenses Division Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Nimba County is increasing accountability for sexual offenders and victims in the county, working effectively to handle and dispose of sexual and gender-based violence cases. The court aims to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of the judicial process to improve access to justice for survivors of sexual violence.
