PHOTO: Participants during the campaign
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
An awareness campaign intended to bring about behavioral change among men regarding reduction of Sexual and Gender Based Violence has taken place in the densely populated slum community of West Point in central Monrovia.
The exercise was held by the He for She Crusaders Liberia (HEFOSLE) in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peace Building WANEP-Liberia.
Reports from various groups protecting the rights of women and girls say there has been an upsurge in SGBV cases as well as domestic violence in the wake of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in Liberia,
The He for She Crusaders Liberia HEFOSLE through the West Africa Network for Peace Building WANEP-Liberia has been entrusted to implement portion of activity under pillar three of the EU/ UN Spotlight Initiative.
It is to identify and strengthen Male Networks to create awareness in their respective communities to bring about behavior change among men that will resolved toward ending sexual and gender based violence, harmful practices and foster sexual reproductive health and rights as well as creating awareness on COVID-19 health protocols.
The Project, which is funded by the EU, is being implemented in in five counties including Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount and Montserrado Counties, respectively.
Speaking during during the dialogue in West Point on Tuesday, He For She Crusaders Liberia National Coordinator, Tamba F J. Johnson stressed the need for more awareness in order to end sexual and gender base violence in Liberia.
According to him, the issue of rape is alarming in Liberia noting that now is the time for various groups and individuals work with men, traditional leaders and communities in raising more awareness in ending sexual violence against women and girls.
‘’Prevention is what we are doing now to engage men, Traditional fathers and influential community men in towns and Villages in order to end sexual and gender-based violence in Liberia under pillar three of the Spotlight Intiative,’’ he noted.
Mr. Johnson explained that the Spotlight Initiative is meant to engage and advocate to end sexual gender based violent, to end the practice of FGM and to end culture of impurity and to foster sexual reproductive health and rights education throughout Liberia.
Meanwhile, the Gender Coordinator of West Point Madam Kula Borbor welcomed the initiative describing it as a gate way for reducing rape and other forms of violence against women and girls in the township of West Point.
Madam Borbor noted that the issue of teenage pregnancy and domestic violence is said to be on the increase in West Point especially during this COVID-19 period with women and girls suffering on a daily basic.
‘’We tell God thank you for you people coming here to help in West point, I am really happy to see you people because the issue of rape is on the increase, just last week, we reported two additional rape cases and domestic violence, especially beating on women, it is not easy here, so I very happy for your coming. I know this program will help us here,’’ Madam Borbor explained.
In remarks, West Point Commissioner William C. Wea thanked the He for She Crusaders Liberia for the great initiative in creating more awareness in the township for men in order to curtail sexual and gender-based violence in the community and Liberia at large.
Commissioner Weah however promised the He for She Crusaders Liberia and partners that the township under his leadership will not compromise any rape case or cases in the area.
According to him, individuals or perpetrators will be deal with according to law by making sure that the laws on rape and domestic violence are well implemented in fighting crimes against women and girls.
‘’As authority in the township of West Point, we will ensure that when there is a situation, we will not compromise, we will make sure that those responsible account for their action in keeping with law and I can promise you that there will be no rape issue compromise in this township, ’’ he said.
Also speaking, the Mandi Governor of West Point Old Man Stephen Karmoh said the issue of rape is seriously affecting men in society stressing the need for seriousness in punishment of perpetrators.
‘’Anywhere we go for meeting, they say rape who do these things, men 35and 45 years old men but the punishment of these people, government never take it seriously. when they go to court, they are free because the law is not been taking seriously,’’ he observed.