PHOTO: US diplomat Alyson Grunder
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy has called on young children to petition the national legislature, in order to address some of the many problems affecting them in the country.
Madam Alyson Grunder said she is of the opinion that once they write their lawmakers on issue affecting them, the national legislature will surely listen to them and take some steps aimed at addressing them.
Madam Grunder made the call when she delivered the keynote address at the program marking the observance of the Day of the African Child organized by the Girls Alliance for Future Leadership in Paynesville Tuesday.
She assured the organization of the US Embassy fullest cooperation in making sure that its objective in advocating for the rights of children in realized.
The US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission indicated that the Liberian Legislature passed the anti trafficking laws since 2005, but the law continues to require that force, fraud or coercion be present in sex trafficking cases.
“But, we are recommending that force, fraud and coercion will be eliminated since when the person is younger than 18 years and used to perform commercial sex, it is crime regardless there is force.”
“We are also recommending that the 2005 law be amended for adult trafficking that is strategically stringent and commiserate with other grave crimes.”
“Such amendment will bring Liberia in to line with international standards and it will offer legal for vulnerable individuals and children,” the American diplomat said.
In remarks, the Advocacy Officer of the Girls Alliance for Future Leadership, Kadiatu Bah called on the national legislature for the passage of the law banning female genital mutilations.
US envoy poses for photo with Liberian children at the program
She described female genital mutilations as barbaric, dehumanizing and destructive and insane act perpetrated against Liberian girls because it has crapped as sacred rites of Liberia’s traditional leaders by the lawmakers.
According to her, if the lawmakers can pass laws declaring sexual intercourse with girls under 18 years. As rape is illegal, there is a need to pass a law making female genital mutilation as illegal.
Miss Bah noted that female genital mutilation is the foundation and the epitome of all kinds of violence against women and girls in the country
The Girls Alliance for Future Leadership said while President George Weah is hailed as Feminist in Chief, they wonder why with such title, the Liberian leader could not consider it a red flag the absence of the law that criminalizes female genitals mutilation, when he signed the domestic violence bill.