-As Liberia Observes 16 Days of Activism
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson
In a move to tackle the pressing issue of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Liberia, the government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has announced a proposed Legal Aid Bill aimed at providing immediate legal assistance to survivors.
Minister Horice-Kollie emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for SGBV survivors during the launch of the 2024 Sixteen Days of Activism campaign. The campaign is held under the global theme: “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” and the national theme: “From Talk to Action! Let’s Join Hands to End Violence Against Women and Girls to Achieve Beijing +30.”
“Launching this campaign highlights the critical challenge of ensuring justice for SGBV survivors—a matter that cannot be overstated,” Minister Horice-Kollie stated. “With support from the World Bank, the Government of Liberia has proposed a Legal Aid Bill that aims to provide prompt legal assistance to survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, among other critical issues.”
The minister reported a concerning rise in gender-based violence across the country, citing statistics that demand urgent collective action. From January to October 2024, a staggering 2,759 rape cases were reported, with Montserrado County accounting for the majority at 1,902 cases—68.7% of the total. Other counties, including Lofa, Margibi, Nimba, and Bong, reported 218, 116, 109, and 106 cases, respectively. Additionally, 264 cases of sexual assault were documented during the same period.
“The numbers are not just statistics; they are stark reminders of the urgent need for action,” Minister Horice-Kollie remarked. “We must strengthen legal mechanisms and provide robust social protections for survivors. These figures should fuel our collective determination to eradicate gender-based violence from every corner of Liberia.”
Despite the alarming statistics, the minister highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to combat violence against women and girls. This includes strengthening coordination, policy development, case management support, capacity building, logistical support, facility assessments, and enhancing referral pathways.
Minister Horice-Kollie also announced the reactivation of the Ministry of Gender’s Legal Unit, which will focus on building evidence-based files for SGBV cases, ensuring that survivors receive adequate legal support and that perpetrators are held accountable. “We are proud to announce that our Legal Unit is back in action, dedicated to ensuring justice for survivors and accountability for offenders,” she said.
The minister expressed gratitude for the contributions of the Spotlight Initiative, funded by the European Union, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including harmful practices. She noted that this initiative has significantly advanced the ministry’s efforts in addressing SGBV challenges.
Looking ahead, Minister Horice-Kollie expressed optimism about the anticipated approval of the second phase of the Spotlight Initiative, which will further bolster the ministry’s efforts in combating SGBV. “With profound gratitude, we eagerly await the approval of Spotlight Initiative 2.0, which will enable us to expand our efforts and achieve even greater milestones in this critical fight,” she concluded.
The proposed Legal Aid Bill and ongoing initiatives signal a commitment by the Liberian government to confront and combat the pervasive issue of sexual and gender-based violence, ensuring that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve.
