PHOTO: Participants at the Robertsport forum
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
The Liberia NGOs Network or LINNK in collaboration with the Spotlight Initiative has ended a day-long stakeholders’ dialogue meeting in Robertsport, Grand Cape County, with several recommendations aimed at eliminating sexual and gender based violence.
The Liberia Spotlight Initiative is funded by the European Union with $15.8 million is an initiatives focusing on the reduction of the prevalence of sexual and gender based violence and harmful practices and increasing women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The day-long dialogue which brought together Officers of the Liberia National Police, members from the National Traditional Council of Liberia, Community leaders and other CSOs members is intended to educate them on the issue of the rape law, domestic violence and FGM on how to mitigate violence against women and girls in Liberia.
The Liberia NGOs Network or LINNK in collaboration with the Spotlight Initiative is implementing this project in five counties including Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties, respectively.
The Spotlight initiative call Campaign on Violence against Women and girls is being implemented by the Liberia NGOs Network or LINNK and sponsor by the United Nation Office on High Commission for human rights in Liberia.
Speaking Thursday at the dialogue in RobertSport, LINNK National Chairman Mr. Stephen Norman said the dialogue is intended to bring stakeholders together to discuss the issue of rape and other forms of violence against women and girls, with an aim to reducing or ending sexual and gender based violence.
According to Norman, the institution was opportune to have gotten a grant from EU Spotlight initiative to carry out awareness on violence against women and girls in five counties across Liberia.
‘’Again I want to appreciate all of you for showing up today in the mixt of the climax of the holy month of Ramadan as our Muslims brothers and sisters ends today,’’ he said.
Meanwhile participants at the dialogue made several recommendations meant at reducing the issue of rape, FGM and domestic violence in the country.
The participants want perpetrators of rape be put to death for those who will rape from zero to five years old, while from five years and above go to jail for life and facilitators including family members, traditional leaders, community leaders go to jail for five years.
On the issue of FGM, the participants recommended training for Sandi society members to carry out awareness on the issues of harmful practices of FGM while bush school time should not interfere with formal school time and children should be above 18 and willing to go through the practice.
‘’This fight is a collective fight not only the police but parents , care giver and community leaders should get involve and not to compromise any issue that has to do with rape’’.
In remarks, Police Spokesperson Moses Carter pledged the commitment of the Liberia National Police in working with the public and the community.
‘’At the level of the police, we are willing to sign any documents that will ensure the elimination of sexual and gender based violence in the Country. I want to say thank you to LINNK and the sponsor for such a great program, you can right assure that we are in support of this initiative,’’ Mr. Carter said.
In remarks the Chairperson on Peace-Building and Early Warning in Grand Cape Mount County, Zwana D. Kpaka want parents to do all it can and help protect their children in order to reduce rape and other forms of violence against women and girls in the Country.
‘’To you our parents, do not allow culture and religion to influence your decision but your decision should be based on evidence and facts. We must all change our mind set by not compromising the issue of rape in your community,’’ he said.
Mr. Zwana D. Kpaka, who described rape as evil, noted that in order to reduce rape in Liberia, there is a need for more awareness in Schools, Churches and mosque to create more education in the Country.
He is however, recommending that rape awareness must a subject that will thought in all schools across Liberia in order to have a new out bringing or generation.