2 December 2008
UN Police Commissioner, Mr. Henrik Stiernblad has emphasized the need to protect women and children, as they are the most vulnerable to sexual violence and abuse.
He was speaking on 27 November 2008, at a handing-over ceremony of a newly constructed police station in Maryland County, funded by the Norwegian government.
The Police Station includes a Women and Children's Protection Section, aimed at catering to their specific needs.Commissioner Stiernblad told the gathering that given the high prevalence of crimes and atrocities consistently committed against women and children, the Protection Section serves as a safe place.
"Here, they can be protected from further sexual violence as they seek advice from competent staff, trained to deal with the special needs of abused women and children."
The establishment of the protection sections has been a priority for Liberia's rule of law sector in its efforts to change societal attitudes towards women.
Currently, police headquarters that have Protection Sections, have been established in 10 Counties with funding from the Government of Norway, administered by the UN Development Program (UNDP).
"Women and children need not be subjected to further victimization," the Police Commissioner said expressing optimism in these efforts, as they can contribute to changing negative societal attitudes towards women.
An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway, Ms. Hilde Johansen described the newly constructed Maryland County Police Headquarters as, "a symbol of progress of the rule of law in Liberia."
She also expressed Norway's commitment to give to women and children the respect they deserve because, "they are important target groups for Norwegian development assistance and cooperation."
The Acting Superintendent of Maryland, Hodo Clark praised the government, the people of Norway, and Liberia's international partners for their continuous support and contributions to the construction of the correctional facility.
He said the peace brought to Liberians "cannot be maintained without the rule of law."
In remarks made on behalf of the Inspector General of the Police, Beatrice Munah Sieh Brown, Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Leeward Counties, Mr. James Flomo Konie Sr. called on police officers to demonstrate a high level of professionalism as "servants of the people."
Mr. Konie also urged Maryland residents to collaborate with the Police, as there would not be a competently functioning Police without the help of the citizens.
The handing over was held on the sidelines of ongoing activities across the country to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, between 24 November - 10 December. Approximately 150 representatives from UNPOL/UNMIL and UNDP as well as senior government and local authority officials, District and County residents and officials from the government of Norway, attended the ceremony.
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