The #WeAreUnProtected Campaigners with support from the Amplifying Rights Network have kicked off activities marking the annual 16days of Activism campaign in Bo Waterside, Grand Cape Mount County.
The ceremony began with a parade from the border checkpoint at Bo Waterside to the Town Hall with women groups, young people, traditional leaders and elders from the communities.
The brief indoor ceremony began with the overview of the 16days followed by a brief background on the #WeAreUnProtected Campaign as well as remarks from stakeholders calling for duty bearers to “Fix The System” and strengthen the implementation of laws and policies in the country.
In her welcome remarks, the Executive Director of Sister Hand Liberia, Miatta Gray said the people of Bo Waterside Community are willing to work with the WeAreUnprotected Campaign to ensure that violence against women and other forms of Gender Based Violence are curtailed if not eradicated.
She encouraged the community dwellers to join the campaign to end violence against women and girls, adding that Gender Based Violence knows no boundaries; it transcends geographical, cultural, affecting individuals irrespective of age, or social status.
The chairperson of Amplifying Rights Network, Naomi Tulay Solonke said educating communities about the various forms of gender-based violence and their profound impact on individuals and society is everybody business.
She said questioning and dismantling harmful gender stereotypes that perpetuate violence and inequality requires community engagement therefore she assured the community that the Amplifying Rights Network and the Unprotected campaign will remain engaged with the community.
Encouraging individuals and communities to actively participate in creating safe and inclusive spaces that reject violence and discrimination, she stated that issues of GBV are not one’s person problem.
She then encouraged community dwellers to share the message but while answering questions from the audience, the chair of the Amplfying Rights Network inked GBV to SRHR adding that GBV can act as a significant barrier to accessing SRHR services.
According to Madam Solonke, survivors may face physical, psychological, or social consequences that limit their ability to seek and receive reproductive health care, family planning, or information on sexual health. She added that societal norms and structures that perpetuate gender inequality can contribute to both restricted access to SRHR services and increased vulnerability to GBV.
Hawa Wilson Ocansi giving an overview of the 16 Days of Activism, said it is a global campaign that requires that countries provide crucial platforms to shed light on the alarming prevalence of GBV and its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities.
She said the reason for selecting Grand Cape Mount is based on the 2023 statistics on GVB.
Mamu Passewe serving as the Keynote speaker said that violence range from physical and sexual violence to emotional and economic abuse; the spectrum of GBV is vast, necessitating a comprehensive and collaborative response including the community adding that violence happens on the daily basis especially physical violence including battering.
“Every day we can be at the police station trying to settle cases of a man beating his wife” she added.
According to the community elder, advocating for survivor-centric approaches that prioritize healing, justice, and empowerment.
She stressed that the Government of Liberia needs to reactivate service center adding that the empowerment of women is the surest way to end GBV.
Addressing the issue of SRHR and GBV, she began her remarks on throwing additional light on the rape.
She stressed on the age of consent and encouraged community dweller to no compromise rape cases.
She said SRHR and GBV requires a comprehensive and intersectional approach that considers the social, cultural, economic, and political factors contributing to both.
Promoting gender equality, human rights, and access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services is fundamental to preventing and addressing GBV.
“Rape business is not family matter- Report it” she also expanded on menopause and advice women on what to do and concluded by encouraging community dwellers to hold duty bearers accountable to legal and policy frameworks play a crucial role in addressing both SRHR and GBV
Saliwu Passewe, the youth leader was glad that the discussion on GBV was brought to his community.
“This topic is very important to us the young people in this community,” he said; stating that the community is a challenge with reporting because they have only two police officers.
He stressed on teen sex workers in the community and appealed that the campaign to work with sex workers to help them get integrated
Beginning on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concluding on December 10, International Human Rights Day, the campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address and eradicate gender-based violence (GBV) in all its forms.
