Pre-launch Press Conference of
Addressed: By Atty. Laura Golakeh
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Time: 2pm
PRESS STATEMENT:
Our Esteemed Partners;
Government Officials;
Members of the National GBV Taskforce;
Members of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social
Protection (MGCSP);
Distinguished Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude, on behalf of
Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie, to all of you for honoring our
invitation as we prepare to commemorate another year of the 16
Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
(SGBV).
I kindly ask that we observe a moment of silence for all those we
have tragically lost to violence.
Thank you.
Let me take this opportunity to commend our front-liners,
particularly members of the National GBV Taskforce, our
international partners, and the dedicated staff of the Ministry of
Gender, Children and Social Protection whose unwavering
commitment continues to make a difference. Your tireless efforts
in bridging the gaps and addressing the scourge of rape and all
forms of violence against women, girls, and children are deeply
appreciated. Please do not grow weary in this noble fight, it is a
continuous journey that requires all of us to work together.
Thirty-four years ago, in 1991, the idea of the 16 Days of Activism
Against Gender-Based Violence was conceived. It remains one of
the most impactful initiatives introduced by the first Women’s
Global Leadership Institute. Today, the 16 Days of Activism stands
as a global campaign dedicated entirely to eliminating all forms of
Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The 16-Days of Activism campaign
also seeks to raise awareness, inspire action, and mobilize
stakeholders to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
This year, the 16 Days of Activism campaign is being observed
under the global theme: ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All
Women and Girls.’ In Liberia, we commemorate the campaign
under the national theme: ‘UNiTE to End Violence: Protecting All
Women and Children in Our Communities and Digital Spaces.’"
Distinguished Members of the Press, the significance of the 16
Days, spanning November 25 to December 10, cannot be
overstated. These dates remind us of the urgent need to confront
all forms of violence and expose the deep-rooted drivers that
sustain it, including patriarchal norms, harmful traditional
practices, and gaps within our legal and institutional frameworks.
Liberia has been an active participant in this campaign since
2001, joining more than 6,000 organizations from 187 countries
to amplify the message that violence against women and girls is a
fundamental violation of human rights.
On Tuesday, November 25, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and
Social Protection in collaboration with the National GBV
Taskforce, the Women of Liberia with support from our partners,
will join the rest of the world to officially launch the 16 Days of
Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which will begin
with a parade from the Ministry of Health to the EJS Ministerial
Complex beginning at 9 a.m. where the National GBV Conference
will commence.
Over the next 16 days, the Ministry, in collaboration with its
partners, will embark on a series of nationally-driven engagements directed at addressing the root causes of GBV and
amplifying the voices of survivors.
Members of the Media, it is important to highlight that Liberia has
made significant progress in addressing violence against women
and girls through the coordinated efforts of the Government,
international partners, non-governmental organizations, and civil
society actors. Key achievements include the review and
validation of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and
Management of GBV (2018–2023), which now paves the way for
the development of a new National Action Plan on GBV.
We have also reactivated the National GBV 116 Call Center,
provided refresher training for call operators and County Gender
Coordinators, and reviewed the SGBV Referral Pathway to
improve our national response systems. Additionally, cash
management funds have been allocated to County Coordinators to
ensure timely interventions in GBV cases, while coordination of
GBV Taskforces has been reinforced across all 15 counties.
To enhance data-driven decision-making, the Ministry has hired a
dedicated GBV Data Analyst to support the rollout of the new GBV
Information Management System (GBV IMS). GBV Observatories
have also been established in 7 of the 15 counties to strengthen
monitoring, reporting, and accountability.
Furthermore, under the Spotlight Initiative 2.0, national coverage
has expanded from five to eight counties with the inclusion of
Grand Bassa, Maryland, and Bong Counties. The Spotlight
Initiative 2.0 Project will be officially launched during the opening
session of the GBV Conference.
Despite the progress made, Liberia continues to grapple with
deep-seated challenges rooted in patriarchy, harmful traditional
practices, poverty, limited access to education, and the lingering
effects of past conflicts. These systemic barriers have created
conditions in which women, girls, and other vulnerable groups
remain disproportionately exposed to violence.
Harmful cultural norms, early and child marriages, reliance on
family-based settlements for resolving abuse, and poverty-driven
vulnerabilities further heighten risks. These persistent challenges
underscore the urgent need for sustained national action,
stronger accountability mechanisms, and continued collaboration
across all sectors.
The Ministry’s Annual GBV Report of 2024 highlights a total of
(3,957) 3,591 cases of gender-based violence recorded, with rape
alone constituting 2,759 cases. Out of the number of cases
reported in 2024, women were the most victims at 3,554 while
men at 37.
Montserrado County topped the chart with 2,143 reported GBV
cases of which 1,902 were rape cases; followed by Lofa County
313, and rape cases reported 218. Bong, Nimba and Grand Bassa
counties reported 196, 165 and 156 GBV cases respectively.
Persistent Non-support recorded 277 cases, Physical Assault 266
cases, Sexual Assault 264 cases and Emotional Abuse 25 cases.
I like to emphasize that in 2024, Statutory Rape (<18) recorded
the highest number of rape cases reported 1,485.
The first, second and third quarters of 2025 have already seen
1,735 rape cases reported, indicating 56%, Physical Assault, 824
cases constituting 26%, Domestic Violence 339 cases, 11%, 7
FGM cases and 6 Sodomy cases.
Distinguished Members of the Media, this year’s campaign aims to
achieve the following objectives:
a). Advocate for the rights and protection of women and girls,
strengthen national and county level coordination structures for
GBV actors,
b) Engage public and private sector partners to co-finance
sustainable interventions,
c). Co-develop a practical Liberia GBV Action Agenda 2025 to
2027, including legal reform recommendations, referral pathway
improvements, survivor centered service models, and digital data
management systems,
d). Amplify survivor voices and integrate traditional, community
based, and faith led responses into national strategies for more
inclusive
e). Raise nationwide awareness to prevent all forms of violence
against women and girls,
f). Promote male engagement and involve traditional leaders,
g). Mobilize stakeholders to account, recommit, and invest in
ending all forms of violence against women and girls, and review
the GBV Accountability framework to strengthen coordination,
enhance institutional accountability
As some of you are aware, this year 16-days launch will take the
form of a National GBV Conference which is expected to run from
Tuesday-Wednesday, November 25-26, 2025.
The National GBV Conference will convene key stakeholders to
address all forms of violence against women and girls, with
specific emphasis on digital violence while its structured sessions
will focus on coordination and strengthening of national and
county-level GBV response mechanisms, financing strategies and
resource mobilization for sustainable interventions, legal reform
initiatives and enhancement of referral pathways, including
online reporting mechanisms and data management systems,
with presentations on recent trends, risk mapping, and service
gaps.
Additionally, the launch of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 during the
opening session of the conference represents a renewed national
commitment to advancing gender equality and social inclusion as
central pillars of Liberia’s development agenda. It builds on the
lessons from the first phase (Spotlight 1.0) and aligns with
Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, ensuring
that inclusion remains at the heart of our national priorities.
Through this initiative, we aim to accelerate progress toward a
Liberia where every woman, every girl, and every marginalized
group can live free from violence and discrimination and fully
participate in shaping our nation’s future. Our priorities under LSI
2.0 are clear and urgent, focusing on strengthening protection
against gender-based violence and harmful practices,
empowering women economically amongst several others.
Why Are We Campaigning?
We are campaigning during the 16 Days of Activism Against
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) because violence against women
and girls remains one of the most widespread and devastating
human rights violations globally. In Liberia, as in many parts of
the world, GBV continues to erode the rights, dignity, and full
potential of women and girls, leaving profound and lasting
impacts on individuals, families, and entire communities.
The campaign also reflects Liberia’s ARREST Agenda, which
emphasizes Accountability, Rule of Law, Reconciliation,
Education, Sanitation, and Social Protection as foundations for
social transformation. By linking the 16 Days of Activism to both
global and national priorities, Liberia underscores its
commitment to building a society that protects the rights of all
citizens, particularly women and girls.
Other Activities during the 16 days include:
Commemoration of International Men’s Day
Nationwide Awareness Campaign (November 27 – December 10,
2025)
World AIDS Day (December 1, 2024)
International Day of Disabled Persons (December 3, 2025)
Human Rights Day (Tuesday, December 10, 2025)
All activities for the 16 Days of Activism campaign will take place
between November 25 ~
December 10, 2025, across Liberia.
CAMPAIGN COLOR
The official color for the 2025 campaign is Orange, symbolizing a
brighter future free from violence.
Before I close, I like to extend special thanks to H.E. President
Joseph Nyuma Boakai, for his inclusive leadership that ensures
that the rights of women and girls are protected and preserved.
We thank the EU, UN and all our local and international
stakeholders for the unflinching support and being trusted
partners of Liberia in this cause.
As we accelerate the engagements, let us remain united in
purpose, igniting hope for a society where every individual can
live, grow, and thrive without fear of violence.
Thank you
#16DaysOfActivism#EndGBVTogether#116hotline#EndOnlineViolence
