Zekepa, Nimba County Liberia: – According to The United Nations Population Fund-UNFPA Liberia, many Liberians women and girls, the appalling violence they experienced during wartime still occurs. Early marriage, rape, offensive touching (sexual assault), forced prostitution, wife inheritance and forced unequaled power relations are the main types of sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated in the communities which, Blinlon and Zehnla Administrative Districts in Yarwin Mehnsonnoh Statutory District are of no- exception.

Because of these humiliations against women and girls across Liberia, On 18 June 2019, Liberia’s Vice President, Her Excellency Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, launched the Liberia Spotlight Initiative, which seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the country. The launch took place in Tiene, Grand Cape Mount County.

Source: http://data2.unhcr.orf>document

During the launch, here is what the Vice President said, “Our attitudes, customs and laws must be changed for the betterment of our nation.” – Vice President of Liberia Jewel Taylor

On the other hand, United Nations Resident Coordinator to Liberia also had this to say during the launch, “The Spolight Initiative creates space for all in society to play an active role in ending violence against women and girls.” – United Nations Resident Coordinator Yacoub El Hillo

Women Empowerment Forum Liberia-‘’Women’’ is currently implementing  six(6) months project funded by Spotlight Initiative Liberia through DEN-L as way of helping to minimize all forms of sexual gender based violence and harmful traditional practices against women and girls under the them:

Creating an enabling environment to ensure that women, girls and marginalized group voices are heard through advocacy about the abused and sexual gender based violence survivors and victims’ facing intersecting forms of discrimination receive protection, support and justice for violations conducted two (2) days project startup training with women and girls groups, court officials, healthcare providers, and stakeholders of both administrative districts in Zekepa.

The participants comprised cross-sectioned of people from Zehnla and Blinlon Administrative Districts, Yarwin Mehnsonnoh Statutory District Nimba County Electoral District Nine

‘’As road connectivity still remains a challenged across some communities in Liberia, Zehnla and Blinlon Administrative Districts are of no-exception. Though there are some interventions by their current lawmaker but there is still more to be done by the government.

Crossing the St. John River is truly a called to serve. Even though, there are plans of dedicating a ferry soon by the District Law-maker Prof. Johnson N. Gwaikolo, which will ease some of the issues of travel in that part of Liberia, but there are needs for routine awareness as we are doing with this project because the more influx of people the more it is most likely for people to abuse others. Both districts equally have no police station which is of very serious concern as it relates to providing justice for those abused but on the other hand there is a Magisterial Court. We are excited because the turned-out is good and every sector is fully represented with all the key stakeholders. We are encouraging each of us to go out and help implement all that we have learned here for the past two (2) days.  Report all forms of violence against women and girls. We are equally thankful to the Civil Society Council of Liberia Nimba Chapter including our donor Spotlight Initiative through DEN-L for providing the funding to help in minimizing all forms of violence against women and girls’’ Madame Laura Bee Kiekpo was speaking to group of Media Practitioners from Nimba D-9 TV and Radio Voice of Yarwin Mehnsonnoh   

Marian G. Deah, Executive Director Restore their Hopes was one of the Facilitators for the two (2) days

Jocelia Sulon Bailloe, Independent Human Rights Platform of Liberia was one of the facilitators for the two (2) days startup workshop

Bob Gleatee Ministry of Gender Children & Social Protection equally served as one of the facilitators