Published: October 8, 2024
MONROVIA — A non-governmental organization, Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), has condemned the increasing wave of violence against Liberian women in the country.
According to the Executive Director of WONGOSOL, Madam Esther Davis Yango, her institution stands in solidarity with the countless women and girls in Liberia who continue to face violence, abuse, and marginalization. Director Yango made the statement 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 the horrifying recent murder of a 22-year-old pregnant woman, Promise Bowah, whose lifeless body was found in her home alongside her six-year-old daughter in the White Plains Community of Robertsville, 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.
While WONGOSOL commends the efforts of law enforcement in bringing Garpeh to justice, Director Yango called for a free and fair trial during the next court term. She stressed the importance of justice being 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, she noted, was an 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 remaining 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.
The WONGOSOL boss recounted 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. 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 underage girls are being subjected to violence under the guise of cultural practices, denying them their basic rights and exposing them to lifelong trauma.
“It is imperative that the Liberian 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 explained.
Director Yango emphasized WONGOSOL’s support for Liberia’s commitment to international agreements such as the Maputo Protocol, which advocates for the protection of women’s rights and the elimination of violence against women. She asserted that the government must ensure the full implementation of this protocol 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 concluded.
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