MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Ministry of Gender has disclosed an increase in sexual activities among children across the country.
Gender Minister Gbeme Horrace-Kollie, quoting the Ministry’s annual report, said statistics show that children between the ages of six to twelve years are engaged in sexual acts, including sodomy.
Minister Horace told MICAT’s regular press briefing on Thursday, June 13, 2024, that Nimba and Bong Counties are the two main areas where sexual activities among teenagers are prevalent.
She also noted that the Ministry is working out modalities to ensure victims of Sexual Gender Based Violence are given justice.
Meanwhile, the Gender Minister said:” The Ministry has activated the Ministry’s legal unit to address Sexual Gender Based Violence cases across the country.
At the same time, the Chair on Gender in the House of Representatives, Moima Briggs-Mensah, has named three critical gender bills that are before the House’s Plenary.
Representative Briggs-Mensah named the Female Genital Mutilation Bill, Traditional Midwives Sustainable Bill, and a bill creating a Domestic Violence Court in Liberia.
Speaking at the opening of the 9th Women’s Movement Building Consultative Conference in Ghana on Thursday, June 13, 2024, THE Bong County Lawmaker said:” The three bills are critical to the advancement of women’s issues.”
Representative Briggs-Mensah disclosed that the Women’s Legislative Caucus is lobbying for the enactment of strong legislation to accelerate women’s rights and empowerment.
According to her, strong laws and political will are urgently needed to counter rising challenges hindering women’s progress in society.
Meanwhile, a prominent rural woman and traditional leader, Mary Larteh, wants women to form one voice that advocates for gender equality and ends Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
Madam Larteh said:” Women’s rights may not gain the necessary attention and support if women themselves do not speak up and derive strategies to drive women’s empowerment.
The Bong County rural women’s Leader urged women at the conference to unite and confront, head-on, the rising challenges that undermine the rights of women.
According to her, women’s leadership has over the years proven to be the most effective way to transform a society for which women must be allowed to serve at all levels.
By: Williametta Jabbah/Varflay Kamara