By Tokpa Tarnue -tarnue82@gmail.com
VOINJAMA, Liberia- Hundreds of men and women across Lofa County, dressed in all-black with placards carrying anti-rape inscriptions, recently protested against rape in this northwestern part of the country.
On Friday September 4th 2020, the citizens took to the streets in cities across the county in continuation a nationwide campaign admits the increasing wave of rape cases across the country.
The group of anti-rape campaigners under the banner “Consortium of Lofa County Civil Society Network” called for an immediate actions to end the issue of rape against children, mothers and sisters in Lofa and Liberia at large
They wanted to draw government’s attention to the issue of rape in Liberia with Lofa being no exception has become very alarming over the period.
According to the group, since January 2020 up to date there have been a total of 28 reported rape cases from various Districts of the County with 25 of the victims been under the age range of 18 years.
The group, in the six-count petition, said as provided by article 17 of the Liberian constitution, they are in deep sorrow because of this unimaginable and unwholesome attitude of some people in society; while at the same time, do appreciate the house’s committee on gender equity, child division and social services for their level of interest in pushing the agenda of the recent petitioners in Monrovia on similar issue.
Presenting the petition, student Jennifer K. Beyan said the group also appreciates the president of Liberia for allowing the exercise initiated by civil society organizations and other interested partners against the issue of rape in Liberia.
“We’ve gathered here today to petition you national government in the loudest voice for immediate actions to bring to an end the issue of rape against our children, mothers and sisters in Lofa and Liberia at large” student Jennifer indicated.
“For so long government have received petition to end rape in Liberia, but yet to no avail. Considering the alarming rate in the shortest period under this government that promised to liberate us Liberians from suffering and to ensure that justice is served ill-respective of who is involved, we are calling on you Mr. President, your Excellency Dr. Dr. George M. Weah to ensure that our laws on rape is properly reviewed and stronger measures taken against perpetrators to serve as deterrence for who be perpetrators” she continued.
The group called on the government to ensure that the core principles of the proposed Anti-Rape Act, most especially Violence against women and girls, is not tempered with, but passed into law by the State with immediate effect.
“Therefore, our Hon. Superintendent, distinguished partners in the fight against rape in Lofa County and Liberian as a whole, women and men of various sectors, our elders, members of the Christian and Islamic communities, traditional leaders and members of the press, we hereby petition you, Mr. President (Dr. Dr. George M. Weah) to whole heartedly support our fight against rape through the following significant recommendations”:
- To increase budgetary allotment in the FY 2020/2021 budget, and subsequent budgets for criminal court “E”, to facilitate the strengthening of the Judicial system for speedy trial of rape, other sexual and Gender-Based violence (SGBV) cases. Moreover, the hiring of more qualified and competent Judges to hear and determine rape and SGBV cases will undoubtedly expedite trials.
- To Establish and adequately equip safe homes to meet the need of children and survivors of rape.
- To institute stronger penalties for those who compromise in the interest of rapists against the victims or vice versa.
- Create a national rehabilitation and trauma counselling program for all survivors of rape in Lofa and Liberia at large.
- To include sexual and gender-Based violent in to national education curriculum.
- There should be stronger penalty for those compromise rape cases in Lofa and Liberia at large.
Receiving the six-count petition for onward submission to central government, the administrative assistant in the office of Lofa County superintendent Saah Bornguoi, pledged superintendent William T. Kamba’s commitment to the fight against rape in the county.
He said the office of superintendent Kamba condemns the act of rape and all other forms of violence perpetrated against women and girls in Lofa and Liberia at large.