-In rural Liberia
By Rachelle R. Kanneh
BOPOLU CITY, Gbarpolu – In Liberia, a
The pressing crisis remains hidden behind closed doors: sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The story of a brave 13-year-old survivor, Korto Johnson (a pseudonym), and dedicated advocate Musu Kamara shines a light on this issue and the urgent need for community support.
Korto’s Story
Korto Johnson, not her real name, faced a life-changing trauma when she returned home from school one day. Alone at home while her parents attended a burial, Uncle Franklin Gonga, asked her to buy liquor. Upon her return, instead of receiving his purchase, she found herself trapped.
“He held my hands and took me into his room. I was scared, “Korto recalls.
What followed was a horrific experience. With her aunt’s support, Korto reported the assault. “I’m happy because he’s in prison for raping me,” she said, reflecting on the successful conviction of her attacker, who received a 45-year sentence by the sixteen judicial circuit court in Bopolu City in 2024.
The SGBV Crisis in Liberia
Korto’s case stands as a beacon of hope in a community where only nine SGBV cases were reported in Gbarpolu in 2024, with just two reaching court. Gbarpolu’s low reporting rate reflects a larger trend of underreporting in rural Liberia. The Liberia Country Report for 2024 indicates a staggering total of 5,000 reported SGBV cases nationwide, with 4,500 survivors and 2,300 accused individuals.
Community
Advocacy and Solutions
Musa Kamara, the founder of the Gbarpolu Women’s Network and former Gender Coordinator, recognizes the challenges faced by survivors like Korto. “In our community, sexual gender-based violence is often the result of a lack of awareness,” she explains.
Musa highlights the vulnerability of children, particularly in rural areas, where education on SGBV is limited. “Many parents leave their children exposed,” she notes.
To combat this, she advocates for community engagement. “If we come together to form organizations or clubs that educate our children, we can reduce SGBV,” she urges. During her tenure as Gender Coordinator, she encouraged young people to join women’s and girls’ organizations to spread awareness.
According to the UN Women Data Hub, 26.9% of women and girls aged 15-49 in Liberia have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in the past year.
In Gbarpolu County, Musa shared that the government, in collaboration with organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, is tackling these alarming statistics.
However, support systems remain limited, leaving many survivors without safe homes and necessary resources.
Lydia Ballah, head of the Gbarpolu Civil Society, stresses that Korto’s story serves as a reminder that the fight against SGBV is ongoing.
She said, “We must unite to support survivors and educate our communities.”
In an exclusive interview, she said by conducting awareness, creating safe spaces, and advocating for protective policies, we can transform the narrative surrounding SGBV in Liberia.
