Ganta, Nimba County — The Deputy Country Representative of UN Women has said that in spite of Liberia’s adoption of various international conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Violence against Women and Girls, the UNSC R1325 and other regional and global commitments, implementation remains scanty in the country.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, [email protected]
Madam Tikkel Alemu said studies show that on average, violence against women costs up to 3 percent of the national annual GDP in African countries; adding: “One can thus safely say that SGBV is costing our economy and development in Liberia.”
She further said violence against women and girls is still deeply entrenched in the Liberia’s social and cultural practices.
Adding that the normative commitments clearly established that violence against women and girls is a human rights violation and an impediment to the advancement of women and girls, including survivors in almost every aspect of life.
Madam Alemu explained: “Addressing the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices requires a multifaceted approach involving all stakeholders – civil society, government, international community religious leaders, youth and the media.
She recalled in 2016, the Liberia Government in collaboration with the United Nations system, signed a 5-year Joint Program to address the escalating rate of SGBV and cultural practices affecting women and girls in Liberia.
UN Women, as lead agency for coordinating this joint program, collaborates closely with the media as a key ally in advancing women’s rights and the protection of women and girls from all forms of violence.
The program prioritizes communication as a strategy for ensuring that individuals and communities have access to information that helps them prevent or respond to sexual and gender-based violence through engagement with media.
She urged media outlets to play their part in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda, with focus on gender equality and women’s rights issues on two fronts, “In their reporting, disrupting stereotypes and biases, and increasing the number of women in the media, including in leadership and decision-making roles.
“To date, thirty-nine leading outlets around the world have signed on as founding members of the Step It Up for Gender Equality Media Compact. With your leadership and commitment, we will make the Gender Equality Media Compact a reality in Liberia.”
She reaffirmed UN Women’s and UN system’s commitment to support the GOL’s effort also appreciating the Government of Sweden for their generous support, which made this workshop possible.
The Ministry of Gender coordinator in Nimba, Yaah Belleh Suah, disclosed that SGBV remains a major challenge in the county.
She named persistent non-support, rape and physical violence reported between September and October.
She says persistent non-support should be tackled to reduce the number of street children and tackling societal problems.
Suah said SGBV should be discussed adding that confidentiality should be the key in reporting on such cases.