Monrovia, Liberia – August 28, 2025: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has strongly denounced the brutal assault of 38-year-old Ms. Korto Vangbana, a mother of five, who was tied and beaten under the rain in Ballah Baloma Town, Gbarpolu County, on August 24, 2025.
Patience M. Jones
According to reports, Ms. Vangbana and her infant were subjected to the degrading punishment on the orders of a traditional leader identified as Mr. Togba. The assault reportedly stemmed from her alleged failure to join a community cleaning exercise. Ms. Vangbana, however, had been working on her farm on that day and had previously informed town authorities of her Christian faith and her decision not to partake in traditional practices.
The Ministry described the attack as a gross violation of her human rights and a direct affront to the dignity of women and girls across Liberia.
Following the incident, swift intervention was made to secure the safety of Ms. Vangbana and her children. She was placed under protective care at the Bopolu police station, while the accused perpetrator was arrested and remains in custody pending investigation.
Ms. Vangbana has since received initial psychosocial support and, through collaboration with ActionAid Liberia, is being relocated with her children to Monrovia. They will be housed at a Safe Home where comprehensive care and protection will be provided.
The Ministry further disclosed that it has engaged both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure full accountability for the abuse. Civil society partners, including the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), have also joined efforts to provide shelter, food, psychosocial support, and empowerment opportunities for Ms. Vangbana and her family.
Gender Minister, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, condemned the attack, stressing:
“This case underscores the urgent need to eliminate harmful traditional practices that endanger the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls. No tradition or local rule supersedes the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Liberia and international human rights conventions.”
She called on the public to report all forms of gender-based violence through the GBV 116 toll-free hotline and assured that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring survivors are protected and perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
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