The NEWS (Monrovia)
Jimmey C. Fahngon
20 November 2008
Monrovia — President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is expected to launch a 16-day activism next week against gender violence in Liberia, Assistant Gender Minister, Patricia Kamara has disclosed.
Madam Kamara said the 16 days of activism would begin from November 25 to December 10, 2008.
She said the objectives of the campaign is to create massive awareness on the various national laws including the rape law, domestic relations law and law to pass down property and rights of people married under both civilized and traditional wedlocks.
The Assistant Gender Minister spoke Wednesday at the regular press briefing of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) held at the Mission's headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia.
She said during the official program of the launch of the 16 days of activism, plagues containing various human rights messages written and signed by government officials, community members, representatives from local and international non-governmental organizations, students and schools administrators would be unveiled.
These plagues, she said, would be unveiled during the official program after which they would be placed in strategic places around Liberia to serve as reminder to the people about their commitment made in the fight against gender-based violence.
Madam Kamara further added that during the 16 days of activism, a massive awareness and sensitization campaign would be carried out in selected communities and schools throughout Liberia as a means of educating the public on the various laws and international instruments that promote the rights of women and girls.
She told reporters that national laws and international instruments would be widely distributed and awareness created on them during public gatherings including county meet and commemoration of special holidays.
Earlier, UNMIL Senior Gender Advisor, Carole Doucet said the global campaign which originated from the women conference in 1999 is intended to stop violence against women.
The campaign, she said, calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.
Madam Doucet said the United Nations agencies in Liberia are currently supporting the government in combating gender-based violence.
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