MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Deputy Gender Minister, Laura Golakeh, says the fight against Gender Base Violence remains an urgent and critical priority to the government.

Minister Golakeh named the re-establishment of the National GBV Call Center at the Ministry, the Creation of Criminal Court “E”, development of both Domestic Violence and Education Laws amongst others as significant progress made in fighting the menace.

She said despite these advancements, GBV, mainly rape, remains high in the Country, disclosing that as of 2024, the Ministry recorded more than two thousand cases of GBV, with more than 50 percent rape.

According to her, the 2024 statistics show that more efforts need to be made in the fight against rape, noting that the Ministry is doing everything possible to minimize the threat.

Meanwhile, Minister Golakeh has committed the government to support programs that seek to promote the fight against Gender Base Violence with other private institutions and partners in and out of Liberia.

She made the assurance Wednesday in Congo Town when she proxied as Chief Launcher of the Transforming Harm, Restoring Integrity, Valuing Equality program being sponsored by the Episcopal Church of Liberia and Islamic Relief USA.

At the same time, the Episcopal Church of Liberia Relief and Development in partnership with the Islamic Relief USA is leading a project against Gender Base Violence in Liberia.

The program under the banner, “Transforming Harm, Restoring Integrity, Valuing Equality,” is expected to be implemented in Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, and Rivercess Counties.

The project’s National Director, Annette Kiawu said:” The two institutions’ latest move is aimed at empowering Women, Girls, Men, and Boys to effectively address Harm and Restore Integrity.”

According to her, the team intends to implement four cardinal pillars, disclosing to empower more than one hundred thousand in the four stipulated Counties.

She described the project as a critical step to buttressing government and other relevant Institutions’ efforts towards the combat of Gender Base Violence in Liberia.

By: Manston Kollie