Published: November 26, 2025
Congo Town — The Government of Liberia has launched a renewed national campaign to combat all forms of violence against women and children, with officials warning that digital abuse is rising alongside physical attacks and requires urgent, coordinated action.
Speaking in Congo Town at the launch of the 2025 Sixteen Days of Activism, Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Gbeme Kollie-Horace condemned what she described as the “unacceptable, unpatriotic and culturally indecent” abuse of women and children on social media.
“No woman, child or young person should be subjected to online humiliation,” Kollie-Horace said, stressing that there is no excuse for digital abuse.
She noted that this year’s global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” and the national theme, “UNiTE to End Violence: Protecting All Women and Children in Our Communities and Digital Spaces,” call for renewed global and national commitment to ending violence in all forms.
Kollie-Horace cited global studies showing that up to 58% of women have faced technology-facilitated violence, while 38% have personally experienced online abuse.
GBV Cases Continue to Rise
The minister disclosed alarming national figures, reporting that in 2024, Montserrado County recorded 2,143 gender-based violence cases, followed by Lofa with 313, Bong with 196, Nimba with 165, and Grand Bassa with 156.
For the first three quarters of 2025, the ministry recorded 1,735 rape cases, making up 56% of all gender-based violence reports. There were also 824 physical assault cases, 339 domestic violence cases, seven incidents of female genital mutilation, and six cases of sodomy.
“These numbers are more than statistics; they are stark reminders of the urgency to act,” Kollie-Horace said.
Spotlight Initiative, National GBV Conference
She announced that the government is expanding the Spotlight Initiative to Grand Bassa, Maryland and Bong counties, bringing the total to eight targeted counties. The initiative aims to strengthen GBV response systems, eliminate harmful practices and economically empower vulnerable women.
Kollie-Horace also said Liberia will host its first National GBV Conference in the coming days. The gathering will convene key stakeholders to discuss digital violence, legal reforms, reporting pathways, financing needs and county-level coordination.
The minister thanked President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the EU, the UN, civil society groups and women’s organizations for their continued support.
“This campaign must reach churches, mosques, schools, football fields and rural communities with the same intensity we apply during political campaigns,” she said. “The time for robust action is now.”
UN, EU and Legislature Reaffirm Commitments
In a message delivered on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni warned of the rise in online harassment, deepfakes and hate speech.
“Misogynistic content is moving from the margins to the mainstream,” Guterres said. “Violence that begins in the digital world can spill over into the physical — in the form of stalking, abuse, even femicide.”
He urged all governments to criminalize digital violence, strengthen support systems for survivors and hold technology companies accountable for safer online spaces.
EU Ambassador Nona Deprez said one in every three women globally experiences gender-based violence, adding that digital violence is growing rapidly and Liberia is “no exception.”
House Speaker Richard Koon — in remarks delivered on his behalf by MacDella Cooper — described gender-based violence as a national crisis requiring urgent, coordinated and well-resourced action. He reaffirmed the support of the 55th National Legislature.
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