MONROVIA – A recent one-day roundtable dialogue on gender-based violence (GBV) in Liberia, hosted by the Foundation for Community Initiative (FCI) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Gender, marked a pivotal moment in addressing this pressing issue.
Held on December 8, 2023, at the Corina Hotel, Sinkor, the event centered around the theme “Breaking the Cycle: Working Together to End Gender-Based Violence in Liberia.” Participants aimed to shed light on the challenges faced in addressing GBV, seeking innovative strategies to prevent and solve these issues.
Beatrice Newland, Regional Coordinator for the Enough! Project, emphasized in her opening remarks the significance of this gathering as a beacon of hope, determination, and collaborative effort in combating gender-based violence. She stressed the urgent need for unwavering action, as GBV knows no boundaries and deeply affects individuals, communities, and nations.
“It inflicts deep wounds, not just on individuals but on communities and nations as a whole. It’s an issue that demands not only our attention but unwavering action. In this space, we gather not only to deliberate and share insights but also to catalyze change,” Newland said.
Newland highlighted the collective dedication to creating safe, respectful, and empowering environments for everyone, irrespective of gender. She urged active participation, emphasizing the invaluable contribution of diverse perspectives and experiences in driving the sought-after change.
Acknowledging the multifaceted challenges revealed through the EU Enough! Project implementation, Newland emphasized the need for immediate attention and concerted efforts in addressing GBV comprehensively. She emphasized that this moment marked a transition, not an endpoint, calling for continued collaborative efforts to shape a society free from the clutches of GBV.
Anna Brzozowska, team leader of the Governance European Union Delegation in Liberia, reiterated the EU’s commitment to gender equality and shared the long road ahead in achieving this goal. She stressed the importance of extending gender rights as human rights and highlighted the EU’s extended gender action plan until 2027.
Alice Johnson Howard, Deputy Minister for Gender at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, addressed the prevalence of gender-based violence in Liberia, emphasizing its disproportionate impact on women and girls. She highlighted various forms of violence, attributing their prevalence to deeply rooted norms, economic disparities, educational limitations, and the lingering impact of past conflicts.
Deputy Minister Howard highlighted the grave concerns of sexual violence, prevalent rape cases, survivor stigmatization, and the challenges in legal prosecution, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts from the government, civil society, and the international community.
In conclusion, she stressed the necessity of ongoing advocacy, education, and legal reforms to create a safer environment for all citizens, irrespective of gender.
The dialogue proved instrumental in shedding light on the urgency of addressing GBV, rallying diverse stakeholders toward meaningful and sustained actions to combat this pervasive issue.
