(LINA) -The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Major General Prince C. Johnson, has termed Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) against women and girls in Liberia as a security issue that is affecting the socio, economic and political development of the country.
Johnson said SGBV against women and girls must be given urgent attention as statistics show that SGBV is a threat to the security of women and girls in Liberia.
“The level of gender-based violence, especially against women and girls, is high in Liberia and as such it is important to make the security of women and girls part of our political agenda, which includes defining violence against women as a threat to national and local security,” Johnson said.
According to him, statistics from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) shows that 64.5 percent of women and girls have suffered different forms of violence over the past two years, most of which constitute sexual violence against girls below the age of 18 years.
Johnson, who delivered the keynote address at the validation workshop of the Comprehensive Sexual Gender-Based Violence Strategy in Monrovia recently said it is important that people be educated and sensitized about the effect and consequences of violence against women.
The Army Chief of Staff cited that the security of women and girls is dependent on the security provided in their homes as well as protection from violence and sexual harassment in public space and workplaces.
He then lauded donor partners for their support towards ending violence against women and girls in the country and reaffirmed the AFL’s commitment to work with all partners and stakeholders to enhance the sustainability of a safe society by ensuring zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women and girls.
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