The Liberia NGOs Network (LINNK) in collaboration with the Spotlight Initiative has ended a day-long stakeholders’ dialogue meeting in Robertsport, Grand Cape County, with several recommendations aimed at eliminating Sexual and Gender Based violence (SGBV).

The exercise which brought together Officers of the Liberia National Police, members from the National Traditional Council of Liberia, Community leaders and other CSOs members  was intended to educate them on the  rape law, domestic violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and how to mitigate violence against women and girls in Liberia.

Participants at the dialogue made several recommendations aimed at reducing cases of rape, FGM and domestic violence in the country.

They called for the death penalty for perpetrators  who commit  rape of children from zero to five  years old and life sentence for others commiting the act against victims above the age of five.

Participants also recommendeded that  accomplices and facilitators of the act  including family members, traditional leaders, and community leaders should not be spared.

On the issue of FGM, the participants recommended training for members of the Sandi society to conduct awareness on the  harmful practices of FGM and pushed for non-interference of the bush school with the formal education of childtren. The stakeholders also want young people entering the bush school to be at least 18 years old and willing to participate instead of being forced.

‘’This fight is a collective fight not only the police but parents , care givers and community leaders should get involve and not to compromise any issue that has to do with rape’’ some of the participants stressed.

Making remarks, Police Spokesperson Moses Carter pledged the commitment of the Liberia National Police (LNP) in working with the public and the community.

‘’At the level of the police, we are willing to sign any document that will ensure the elimination of sexual and gender based violence in the Country. I want to say thank you to LINNK and the sponsors for such a great program, you can rest assure that we are in support of this initiative,’’ Mr. Carter said.

 The Chairperson on Peace-Building and Early Warning in Grand Cape Mount County,  Zwana D. Kpaka wants parents to do all they can to help protect their children in order to reduce rape and other forms of violence against women and girls in their Communities.

‘’To you our parents, do not allow culture and religion to influence your decisions to fight this menance against your children. We must all change our mind set by not compromising the issue of rape in our community,’’ Kpaka said.

He described rape as evil and called for increased awareness in schools, churches and mosques toeducate more people.   

LINNK in collaboration with Spotlight Initiative is implementing this aspect of the project with UNDP, in five counties including Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties, respectively.

The Spotlight initiative campaign on Violence against Women and girls is also sponsored by the United Nations Office on High Commission for Human Rights in Liberia.

Speaking Thursday may 13,2021, at the dialogue in RobertSport, LINNK National Chairman said the event was intended to bring stakeholders together to discuss the issue of rape and other forms of violence against women and girls, with an aim to reduce or end sexual and gender based violence.

According to Stephen Norman, the institution received  a grant from the EU Spotlight initiative to caary out  awareness.