ActionAid Liberia Celebrates the 16 Days Activism against Gender-Based Violence

ActionAid Liberia Celebrates the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

ActionAid Liberia and its partners celebrated the 16 Days of Activism to raise awareness against gender-based violence and support survivors of GBV. The event was held at the Corina Hotel on Saturday, December 9, with the theme "Harnessing Women's and Girls' Power to Prevent Gender-Based Violence in All Spheres." The guests who witnessed this ceremony included the United Nations, the Swedish Embassy, UBA, Ecobank, IB Bank, and other organizations.

During the event, implementing partners shared powerful testimonies about the support received from ActionAid, emphasizing its transformative impact on their communities and making them safer for women and girls.

ActionAid Country Director, Madam Elizabeth Dato Gbah-Johnson, provided an overview of the program, emphasizing the organization's commitment to investing further in creating a society free from violence against women and girls. Over the past 20 or more years, 60% of ActionAid's activities have been dedicated to promoting women's and girls' rights, uniting communities, and preventing gender-based violence. Elizabeth Dato reconfirmed AAL's ongoing commitment to curbing Gender-Based Violence efforts to transform lives and foster positive change. Madam Elizabeth reaffirmed AAL's commitment to empowering women, girls, and young people in need to continue working with the most marginalized and vulnerable communities, especially women and girls in Liberia. 

Madam Josephine M. Poole, the President of E'yangoon CBO in Gbarma, Gbarporlu County, highlighted the success of ActionAid's empowerment, mentorship, and support activities, resulting in the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in their county. Miss Josephine started the journey with ActionAid in 2008 as a student. She graduated in 2009 and grew up from pillar to pillar within the AAL's empowerment platforms. After a decade, Miss Poole is now the President of Eyangoon CBO. She credited ActionAid for empowering them with skills, increasing economic independence, and significantly reducing teenage pregnancies. 

Loretta M. Harmon, a member of the AAL Just Equal Communities project, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (JEC-SRHR) Network, commended ActionAid's support in providing a learning platform to young women volunteers. She noted that most JEC-SRHR Network members acquired credible SRHR information and services and can now transfer the knowledge and information learned to educate girls nationwide on self-esteem and comprehensive sexual education. She urged AAL to continue collaboration for societal improvement.

Above: Naomi T. Solanke, ED for CHI INC, shares her story during the 16DOA evening ceremony.

Naomi Tulley Solanke, the Executive Director of Community Health Care Initiative INC, used to be a member of a nameless grassroots group that operated a mobile or on-wheel clinic. During the Ebola pandemic, the group passionately worked with AAL to help the affected and infected at the time. From then on, they never looked back; that is when CHI officially registered as a civil society organization. Naomi highlighted that ActionAid has been intentionally working with marginalized and discriminated populations. Her organization now operates in seven counties in Liberia. Madam Naomi expressed her pride in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). She emphasized that ending GBV requires collective action and engagement with perpetrators and urged everyone to come forward and be the change they want to see.

In special remarks, Ma. Kebbeh, the National President of the Rural Women Association in Liberia, praised ActionAid's empowering approach and called on other donors to follow suit for a more significant impact. She noted that AAL's stance in working with marginalized and vulnerable women is the niche that AAL is known for. She appreciated the empowerment and support AAL continues to render to rural women structures nationwide.

Representing the CSOs, Evans L. Adofo, Executive Director of Stop AIDS in Liberia, stressed the need for cohesive community efforts to combat all forms of violence against women and girls and the society at large. He applauded all CSOs on the actions taken to end violence against women and girls and marginalized communities, and urged the continuation of the activism beyond the 16 Days of Activism. Evans appreciated the support AAL continues to render by providing an enabling platform that allows all who come into the space to realize their potential in life, grow, and make informed, healthy decisions.  

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations, Mr. Sidiki Quisia celebrated the 16 Days of Activism, highlighting its significance in raising awareness about gender-based violence and advocating for improved laws and services. He urged everyone to take collective action to end violence against women and girls, emphasizing the preventability of such violence.

In his remarks, Johan Romare, Head of the Development Corporation at the Swedish Embassy, noted that ActionAid Liberia’s footprints are now visible enough as women of Liberia are empowering other women in Liberia. He applauded AAL for such a milestone accomplished and noted that the embassy will continue to walk side by side with ActionAid in the fight to end all forms of violence against women and girls.