OPINION: Liberian Women Decry Early Marriage, SGBV

Liberian women from across Liberia have decried the practices of early marriage and Sexual Gender Base Violence in the country.

Though, the women are tirelessly in search to finding a lasting solution to the practices of SGBV and early marriage, they have ended a three day consultative national stakeholder forum with several Liberian women forming part of the initiative.

Addressing Participants at the three days National Stake Holder Consultative Forum, UNFPA Representative, Patricia Jallah Scott pledged UNFAP commitment to working with Liberian Women across the country in discussing and promoting issues concerning women.

She reminded the women gathering that the time has come for Liberian women to rise up and battle those issues that according to her poses serious threat to their well beings as women within the Liberian society.

She at the same timed added that gone are the days when women were sexually abused, forced to early marriage and vulnerable to other harmful practices which have the propensities to undermine their futures. Madam Scott used the occasion to call on participants to report every abuse against women in Liberia.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Gender Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Health and Social welfare, Madam Lorpu Sherman commended the participants for full participation in the three events.

She urged the women to utilize the knowledge acquired at the three days National Forum as a means of tickling issues confronting them in their various communities or localities.

For her part, the Vice Chair on Inter Affairs at the National Traditional Council of Liberia, E. Musu Colman lauded the UNFPA, the Ministry of Health and Women Solidarity Incorporated for granting Liberian women the opportunity to participate the three days events, something she said will help them in fighting crimes against women across Liberia. She called on all Liberian women not to compromise their rights for little or nothing.

At the end of the three days National Stake Holder Consultative Forum of SGBV, Early Marriage and Harmful Practices, the participants recommended that culture should protect and be transformative on issues affecting girls negatively.

They also recommended that Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Council of Elders and zoes should develop guidelines aimed at regulating customs and culture to allow girls to attend school.

They also recommended that the law reform and constitutional review should consider the protection of every Liberian especially women and children among others.