The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has begun massive community awareness on a toll-free anti-sexual gender-based violence call number in several communities in Montserrado County.
“116” is a number being used by the ministry as an alternative means through which the public can also report cases of sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse/labor, trafficking, abandonment/neglect, missing child/children, exploitation in schools and work places, as well as maternal emergencies.
Assistant Minister for Children and Social Protection, Maminah Carr-Gaye, said the exercise is intended to educate the public on the importance of utilizing the “116” number when need arises.
According to Minister Gaye, the awareness is in two-fold: a broad approach and a narrow approach. The narrow is a 30-day awareness intended for only Montserrado County and its environs, while the broad phase is intended for the rest of the 14 counties. She said the theme for the on-going exercise is “Using a Call Center Approach to Combat Violence Perpetrated Against Women and Children”.
Already, the ministry has conducted awareness in Duala, Redlight, Sinkor and other parts of Monrovia.