-Warns Against the Circulation of Interview with the Minor
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has strongly condemned the unauthorized and inappropriate dissemination of a video interview involving a minor from Kakata, Margibi County. The Ministry says it is currently investigating the situation and urges the public, especially media institutions and individuals, to refrain from sharing or broadcasting the video or its contents.
The Ministry notes that the circulation of interviews involving minors without proper consent and safeguards violates the child’s right to privacy and protection, as enshrined in both national and international child protection laws. “The Ministry frowns upon any form of exploitation or exposure that could harm the dignity and well-being of children. The content of the video is disturbing, and therefore, it is regrettable that any child could go through such a horrible experience.”
Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie, speaking on behalf of the MoGCSP, emphasized the seriousness of the matter: “The Ministry is deeply concerned about the reckless handling of sensitive information regarding a child, and we will leave no stone unturned in investigating this situation. The welfare and dignity of Liberian children is our utmost priority, and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that those responsible for the child’s current state are held accountable.”
In addition to the ongoing investigation, the Ministry says it is issuing a serious warning to parents, guardians, and caregivers to ensure the proper treatment of children under their care. “It is the collective responsibility of all adults to safeguard the well-being and dignity of every child. Negligence or exploitation will not be tolerated, and the Ministry will take swift action against any party found to be compromising a child’s welfare.”
The Ministry is also calling on child welfare groups and organizations to remain vigilant and continue working for the protection of vulnerable children across the country. “The involvement of these groups is crucial in ensuring that children are shielded from any form of harm, abuse, or exploitation.”
The Gender Ministry release emphasized: “MoGCSP continues to work closely with relevant authorities to get to the bottom of this case and ensure the child’s dignity is preserved. In the meantime, we encourage anyone with additional information about the child in the video to contact the Ministry to assist in the ongoing investigation.”
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection is responsible for ensuring the protection and empowerment of Liberia’s most vulnerable populations, including women and children.
Initial alert:
In October of last year, this paper reported the alarming number of underage girls caught in the throes of prostitution in Monrovia. At the time, any teenagers involved in prostitution in central Monrovia attributed their participation in the controversial activity to local child trafficking, as well as neglect by their immediate family members.
One 15-year-old girl, Massa David (not her real name), stationed at the well-known Pro-Poor bus stop on Carey Street, Monrovia, shared that her involvement in this perilous practice stems from abandonment and maltreatment by her parents. She has been engaged in this practice for almost a year and fears returning to her parents in Paynesville due to the previous mistreatment.
Like many other street kids, she roams central town during the day and returns to her spot to conduct her regular business. At night, if things don’t go well, she is left with no option but to sleep in abandoned facilities. Another teenager, Mary Johnson (not her real name), at the age of 18, has lost her senses due to consuming harmful substances regularly. She struggles to survive on the streets with no access to care or a stable source of sustenance.
In a different scenario, Hawa Moore (not her real name), an 18-year-old sex worker, mentioned that after having her first child and enduring maltreatment by a relative she lived with after leaving Bong County, she had no choice but to engage in prostitution. She expressed willingness to leave this practice if provided with a better business opportunity, as she currently engages in prostitution to support her son, who’s living with her parents in Bong County.
Investigations in the well-known “Pro-Poor Bus Stop” in central Monrovia have revealed a significant number of teenagers, mainly aged between 13-18, engaging in prostitution and also consuming illegal substances. They are often observed soliciting men during late hours, offering sexual services for money, either at a local motel at the site or at the client’s home.
The underage sex workers shared that they charge $LRD500 for their services, with an additional $LRD150 for the motel room for a short period. They emphasized that their prices are affordable to accommodate the reluctance of some individuals to engage due to their underage status. Some of these young women partially reside at the spot, while others only appear at night for business purposes. They stressed their economic need and lack of proper living conditions.
Currently, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection in Liberia lacks data on underage prostitution. However, in Liberia, both prostitution and child trafficking are illegal. According to unofficial records from the Gender Ministry, there are over 8,000 prostitutes in Liberia, with a substantial portion being older prostitutes. UNICEF estimates indicate that 1-2 million children under 18 are sexually exploited in prostitution annually globally, with significant numbers in Asia, particularly in India and Thailand.
Research shows that Involvement in prostitution disrupts a teenager’s education and personal growth, leading to limited educational opportunities and potential long-term consequences for their future. They become targets of traffickers who manipulate and control them, subjecting them to abuse and making escape difficult.
