By Tokpa M. Tarnue in Voinjama, Liberia tarnue822gmail.com
Public awareness campaigns have been intensified in Lofa County and other parts of Liberia highlight the plight of women who are said to face the brunt of the consequences as a result of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
According to the Coordinator for Lofa County “HE for SHE” Crusader Task Force, Boakai Yamah Jr, approximately 80-85 percent of GBV and SGBV are woefully perpetrated by men.”
Mr. Yamah made the disclosure at a day-long Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Community Awareness Forum of the violence recently.
With such grim statistics, the role of men in ensuring the reduction in the high rate of SGBV cases was emphasized at the just-ended forum.
Mr. Yamah made a passionate plea for government, religious and traditional leaders as well as ordinary citizens to work towards ending violence of all forms against women, girls and children in the country.
At the end of the GBV/SGBV Community awareness forum, participants thanked Lofa County “HE for SHE” Crusader Task Force for hosting the forum.
They promised to help create more awareness in their communities, towns and villages in their quest to contribute to the creation of a safer and better environment for women, girls and children.
The one-day GBV/SGBV community awareness forum was organized and sponsored by Lofa County HE for SHE Crusader Task force.
The county’s Task Force is a combination of civil society organizations, prominent citizens, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and human rights actors in the County working together to create safe environment for the growth and development of women, girls and children who are often victims of GBV/SGBV.
It was designed to create massive awareness and discuss possible solutions to ending violence against women, girls and children in Lofa County.
Officials of the Taskforce have assured that they will continue to work with state actors including line ministries and agencies, human rights organizations, civil society groups and community leaders to ensure that more awareness is carried out in the communities, villages and towns on the dangers GBV and SGBV poses to women, girls and children and society at large.
The one-day awareness forum was held under the theme, “What role do men play in ending violence against women, girls and children.
It brought together intellectuals, women and students leaders, government officials, civil society actors, UN representatives, prominent citizens, the media and youth from all sectors, among others.