Published: May 11, 2026
By Blamo N. Toe
MONROVIA — A child and women’s advocacy organization has condemned the public stripping and humiliation of a young woman at Red Light, calling the incident a serious violation of human rights and demanding that authorities investigate and prosecute those responsible.
The attack occurred Thursday afternoon in the busy commercial district of Red Light, where a young woman believed to be in her 20s was allegedly stripped naked and publicly harassed by a crowd over claims that she was wearing revealing clothing without underwear. Video of the incident circulated widely on social media, triggering public outrage and renewing concerns about gender-based violence, mob justice, and the safety of women and girls in Liberia.
Jonahsa Foundation Inc., which provides support to more than 500 underprivileged children across Liberia including over 200 girls, issued a condemnation Friday describing the assault as emblematic of deeply rooted social attitudes that fuel harassment and violence against women.
“The assault on her dignity and bodily autonomy simply because of her mode of dressing is unacceptable,” the foundation’s chief executive officer, Jonah Barcon, said in the statement. “Violence should never be justified under the guise of morality or culture.”
No Justification, Foundation Warns
The foundation stressed that no woman or girl should be harassed, assaulted, or subjected to violence because of her appearance or clothing choices, and warned that attempts to justify such violence reinforce harmful gender stereotypes and contribute to the normalization of abuse.
Barcon said the incident underscores the dangers of mob justice and the speed with which social media can amplify and sensationalize acts of public violence against women.
The organization described the Red Light attack as a wake-up call for stronger public education on women’s rights, bodily autonomy, consent, and human dignity, and called on parents, community leaders, schools, religious institutions, and policymakers to work together to promote a culture of respect and protection for women and girls.
Calls for Sexuality Education
Beyond the immediate incident, the foundation used its statement to advocate for broader investment in Comprehensive Sexuality Education programs in schools and communities across Liberia, arguing that such initiatives are essential to shifting the social attitudes that enable harassment and gender-based violence.
“Education remains critical to addressing deeply rooted social attitudes that fuel harassment and violence against women and girls,” the statement said.
The organization also called on the public to reject mob justice in all its forms and to actively condemn sexual harassment and gender-based violence wherever it occurs.
Demand for Accountability
The foundation urged relevant authorities to immediately investigate the Red Light incident and ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable under Liberian law.
The incident has intensified a national conversation already sharpened by a separate allegation, reported this week, that a 16-year-old girl was raped by a police officer while in custody at a Women and Children Protection Section in Ganta, Nimba County. Together, the two cases have placed the protection of women and girls at the center of public debate in Liberia.
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