GENDER MINISTRY LAUNCHES 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM: RALLY MORE BUDGETARY ALLOTMENT TO FIGHT AGAINST SGBV
By Lazota Zainab Bility
Monrovia: The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, in collaboration with partners, has officially launched the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a global campaign dedicated to eliminating violence against women and girls.
The launch event was held on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. This year’s campaign aligns with the global theme, “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” and the national theme, “From Talk to Action! Let’s Join Hands to End Violence Against Women and Girls to Achieve Beijing +30.”
The campaign will last from November 25 to December 10, and aims to raise awareness, develop actions, and encourage communities to address the systemic causes of GBV. These include harmful norms, traditional practices, and inadequate legal frameworks. Delivering the keynote address, Atty. Yah Parwon, Country Director of Medica Liberia, emphasized the urgent need for the Liberian government to increase funding for initiatives combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
“Currently, less than 1% of the national budget is allocated to addressing SGBV,” Atty. Parwon revealed, highlighting the significant challenges this poses to effectively tackling violence against women and girls. She urged the government to take ownership of the fight against GBV rather than relying solely on donor-funded initiatives.
“We appreciate the support of our partners and donors, but these efforts need to be sustained and owned by the government. To achieve Beijing +30, we must act decisively,” she stated. Atty. Parwon also called for stronger enforcement of existing laws, urging stakeholders to move beyond symbolic gestures. “No more excuses.
Let’s implement the law and strengthen mechanisms to eliminate delays in justice delivery,” she added. The 16 Days of Activism campaign serves as a critical platform for advocating policy reform, empowering survivors, and fostering collaboration among civil society, government, and international partners.
As Liberia progresses toward the Beijing +30 goals, stakeholders reiterated the importance of translating commitments into tangible actions to protect women and girls from all forms of violence. The campaign continues through December 10, marking International Human Rights Day, with events and activities designed to amplify the call for a united front against GBV.
