MONROVIA – Josephine M. Poole, a resident of Gbarpolu County, never anticipated that she would become an advocate for women and girls in her remote village, nor did she imagine the opportunity to receive an education. However, thanks to ActionAid Liberia (AAL), Josephine not only completed her schooling but now leads a Community Based Organization in Gbarpolu named E’yangoon, which translates as “We are one.”
By Mae Azango [email protected]
Sharing her testimony at an Open Evening Event organized by ActionAid Liberia and its partners in commemoration of the just-ended 16 days of Activism on violence against women and girls, held at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia, under the theme “Harnessing Women and Girls’ Power to Prevent Gender-Based Violence in All Spaces,” Josephine revealed that AAL, a non-profit organization that has prioritized women’s rights for over a decade and implemented anti-SGBV and SRHR programs targeting women, girls, and other discriminated groups, empowered her through their programs. She, in turn, used this knowledge to educate and train other young women in her district about their rights.
Josephine recalled AAL’s initial focus on enrolling girls in Gbarpolu, where the importance of education was not fully understood due to the prevalent practice of removing girls from formal school to join the Sande society. Drawing from her experiences with AAL, she initiated a social club to educate girls about body care. Recognizing that many women in Gbarpolu were unaware of the value of their bodies, Josephine invited men to the club, asserting that women are not objects for their desires and have the right to their bodies.
Gbarpolu, known for practicing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), posed as a challenge due to its remote location. However, empowered with the training from ActionAid, Josephine’s CBO, E’yangoon, took the initiative to raise awareness in various villages. They appealed to elders and chiefs, successfully convincing them to end the practice and emphasize the importance of girls’ education.
Josephine addressed girls who were influenced to join the Sande bush, emphasizing that their mothers did not gain a degree from the Sande bush to work in offices. She encouraged them to prioritize education over harmful traditional practices.
Furthermore, Josephine highlighted that ActionAid empowered them to fight violence in their communities and engage in decision-making, especially regarding land rights and political participation. Women were trained to stand up for their rights, making it difficult for men to take advantage of them, particularly in land-related matters.
Elizabeth Gbah Johnson, the Country Director of ActionAid Liberia, expressed the organization’s commitment to investing more in the fight against gender-based violence. Recognizing the challenges, she called for collective efforts and partnerships to address these issues, especially as a new leadership era approached.
Lovetta M. Horton, another beneficiary of ActionAid, discussed how the organization raised awareness about sexual harassment and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. The organization’s efforts brought about positive changes, challenging societal norms.
Johan Romare, Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy, commended ActionAid for its inspiring work. He acknowledged the powerful testimonies and expressed the Swedish government’s commitment to supporting Liberians in building the Liberia they aspire to see. He further noted that they (Swedish Embassy) have seen ActionAid work in Liberia, and they are very happy to walk side by side with ActionAid in recognizing the pivotal role of grassroots movements in effecting positive change.