The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) has stressed the need to galvanize and concert efforts in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Making the call when she appeared at the Ministry of Information regular Thursday press briefing, Gender Minister Williametta Saydee-Tarr said the call is in consonance with the launch of the 27th Edition of the 16-Days of Activism.
Minister Tarr noted that the 16-Days of Activism will be observed under the national theme: “End Gender Based Violence In Work Places, Schools and Communities: Take Action, Report It and Promote a Liberia Free of Violence.”
The program, which is expected to run from November 25 to December 10, will also be held under the global theme: “End Gender Based Violence in the Work Place,” with focus on strategies designed by local groups to call for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
She explained that prior to the commencement of the event the Ministry of Gender and partners will hold a one-day national prayer service at the Empowerment Temple AME Church in Congo Town to seek the intervention of God for the success of the program.
According to her, the launch of the program, which starts on Monday, November 26, will begin with a parade in Monrovia after which an official indoor program will be held.
She added that the observance of the activism will continue on November 29, with the observance of International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, while December 3 will be the celebration of the International Day of Disabled Persons, and the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.
The Gender Minister said the program will be simultaneously launched across the 15 counties on November 25, adding: “The sub-offices of the ministry will work closely with partners in the counties to carry out awareness and sensitization activities in schools and communities respectively.”
She disclosed that during the celebration, the ministry will also launch the “SheDecides” Campaign, which is a global movement to promote, provide, protect and enhance the fundamental rights of every woman and girl.
The campaign is being established in Liberia as a new norm where every girl at the earliest cognitive period can make a decision about her body, life and future without question, she said.
