MONROVIA – Last week, concerned Liberian citizens peacefully and passionately called attention to sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV), protesting the high incidence of rape cases in Liberia, the impunity of perpetrators and the lack of support for survivors. From rape to intimate partner violence to harassment and intimidation of activists, SGBV remains pervasive, and no country has ended it. SGBV threatens the health and safety of survivors and is a barrier to social and economic development. INL embedded advisors work alongside Liberian counterparts in the Liberia National Police to offer technical assistance on investigation of SGBV cases; they also provide consultative support to attorneys in the Liberian SGBV unit on prosecution of SGBV cases and to court personnel on timely and appropriate processing. The U.S. government’s annual “16 Days of Activism Against GBV” campaign each November highlights success stories and work yet to be accomplished on SGBV around the world, including in Liberia.

Source: Front Page Africa September 01, 2020 07:30 UTC