Gender alarms over rising violence against children, condemns woman for allegedly cutting child’s finger
By Lazota Bility
September 8, 2025
Monrovia: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has alarmed over rising violence against children across Liberia condemning a lady in Monrovia who allegedly cut off a little girl’s finger.
In a strong statement, the Ministry noted that the act is not only endangering children’s lives but is also undermining Liberia’s national and international commitments to safeguard the rights of children.
Liberia is a signatory to global and regional treaties, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which mandate State to ensure the protection, safety, and holistic development of every child.
The Ministry expressed concern over series of recent gruesome incidents, particularly stressing on a recent incident that occurred in Monrovia, New Georgia Gulf community where a woman allegedly cut off a little girl’s finger after the little girl was playing with another child and the child accidentally fell. The suspect is currently undergoing investigation for her alleged act against the minor
The Ministry strongly condemned the recent incident involving the little girl stressing that violence against children in any form is unacceptable and intolerable describing the trend as a direct violation of children’s fundamental rights to life, dignity, and protection.
“The deliberate and inhumane treatment of children under the guise of disciplinary measures must end. Such cruelty inflicts lifelong scars and betrays the duty of care owed to our children,” the Ministry emphasized.
Ministry of Gender has also alarmed over the increasing practice of taking children from rural communities under the pretense of providing better livelihood opportunities saying Instead of care and support, many of the children face exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
The Ministry is Urging parents and guardians to remain actively engaged in their children’s welfare, regardless of who assumes caregiving responsibilities.
The ministry emphasized the continued collaboration with the Child Protection Network (CPN) and the Liberia National Police, calling for stronger collective action from all stakeholders.
The Ministry also urged Justice Ministry to ensure perpetrators of child rights violations are prosecuted without exception, “Justice must be served to send a clear message that impunity has no place in cases of child abuse and exploitation,” the statement read.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Ministry pledged to continue working closely with parents, communities, media, civil society, and international partners to strengthen both preventive and responsive measures against violence targeting children.
The Ministry stressed that every child in Liberia deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment encouraging the public and media to report all cases of child abuse, trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through the Ministry’s toll-free hotline: 116.
