Monrovia Liberia – The Women Empowerment Network (WEN), a non for profit Women Rights Organization, is calling for a safer and enabling environment for women and girls across the country.

WEN’s Executive Director Margaret Taylor said such safer environment can be achieved with the kind of policies and regulations put in place by the government and other Duty bearers of the society.

Madam Taylor has also strongly condemned the increasing number of rape cases and warned against compromising rape in Liberia.

According to Madam Taylor, concealing information about rape and other sexual and gender based violence has serious consequences that could damage the future of rape survivors.

She was speaking Thursday at the start of a training and awareness on Sexual and Gender Based Violence and violence against women in Duazohn Margibi County.

About 75 women in Duazohn and surrounding areas benefited from the exercise which is part of the Spotlight Initiative aimed at promoting safety for women and girls across Liberia.

With funding from the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund, the Women Empowerment Network is collaborating with UN Women to conduct similar training programs in Grand Bassa, Bong and Lofa Counties.

According to Madam Margaret Taylor, the ongoing training and awareness is a part of a 12 month program that seeks greater awareness and education on sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) as well as violence against women.