The Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has condemned the rising wave of violence against Liberian women. According to the Executive Director of WONGOSOL, Esther Davis Yango, WONGOSOL stands in solidarity with the countless women and girls in Liberia who continue to face violence, abuse and marginalization.
Director Yango made the statement on Monday in Monrovia. “We are deeply saddened by recent incidents that highlight the persistent threat to women’s safety and rights. We believe it is time to take collective and urgent action to end this cycle of violence against the women and girls of Liberia,” she said.
She noted that of recent is the horrifying murder of a 22-year-old pregnant woman, Promise Bowah, whose lifeless body was seen in her home along with her six-year-old daughter in the White Plains community of Robertville, Careysburg.
“The two were brutally murdered by the victim’s alleged boyfriend, Madison Garpeh, who has been charged with the heinous crime and is now detained at the Monrovia Central Prison” Director Yango maintained.
She indicated that while WONGOSOL commends the efforts of law enforcement in bringing Garpeh to justice, “we call for a free and fair trial during the next court term”.
She pointed out that it is important that justice is served, not only for the victims but also to send a clear message that violence against women will not be tolerated in Liberia.
“Equally shocking is the incident in Brewerville, Montserrado County, on what should have been a day of celebration for a teenage student. The female student, on the day of her graduation, was handcuffed on her school campus by a court sheriff for failing to pay her balance graduation fees, as mandated by her principal. Such treatment is not only dehumanizing but also undermines the dignity and rights of a minor, especially young women pursuing their education. Education should be a tool for empowerment, not a platform for public humiliation and abuse,” she added.
WONGOSOL’s boss explained that these acts of violence are not isolated incidents; across Liberia, there has been a disturbing increase in reports of violence perpetrated against women and girls.
According to her, in Margibi and Nimba counties, the violation of young girls’ rights through female genital mutilation (FGM) continues despite the long-standing fight to end such harmful practices.
She asserted that underaged girls are being subjected to violence under the guise of cultural practices, denying them their basic rights and exposing them to life-long trauma.
“It is imperative that the government takes immediate action to halt all forms of violence against women and girls. We call for stronger laws, better enforcement, and a comprehensive strategy to ensure the safety and security of women across the country. Women and girls in Liberia must no longer live in fear of being marginalized, victimized, or treated as second-class citizens. They deserve protection, justice, and the right to live free from all forms of violence,” she maintained.
Director Yango said WONGOSOL also emphasizes the importance of Liberia’s commitment to international agreements such as the Maputo Protocol, which speaks to the protection of women’s rights and the elimination of violence against women. She asserted that the government must ensure that the provisions of this protocol are fully implemented to guarantee the safety, dignity, and rights of women in Liberia.
“The Women NGOs Secretariat calls on all stakeholders, government officials, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and community leaders to come together and address the rampant violence against women. “We must build a society where women and girls are respected, protected, and valued. Only through collective action can we achieve lasting impact,” she pointed out.
