Monrovia – Liberian child rights activist, Satta Fatumata Sheriff has frowned on the decision by the George Weah—led government to close the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and declare it as non-essential during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown. “No one should be allowed to live in constant fear of being abused or assaulted at home due the government inability to acknowledge that domestic violence is an essential issue during COVID-19. The government cannot just close the Ministry and pretend as if, a silent domestic violence war isn’t happening in thousands of homes across Liberia. “People are going to need counseling, emotional and psychosocial support, therefore the Government must create a National SGBV Response System to meet survivors needs and to also encourage people to seek help when they experience domestic violence. Now is the time for the Ministry of Gender to step-up and find new ways to approach sexual abuse during this lockdown.

Source: Front Page Africa April 26, 2020 22:18 UTC