The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP) says it is seriously disappointed and saddened to see another Liberian woman being brutally mobbed by men believed to be motorcyclists.
In a press release, the Ministry says it understands that the brutishness against a visiting Canadian-based Liberia woman occurred on November 15, 2023 but was recently alerted about the situation.
It categorically condemns such barbarity against a woman and empathizes that there is no place in the society for such unthinkable showmanship of violence. The ministry describes the action in the video as disgraceful, uncivilized and irresponsible.
The Ministry sees said thuggery as a brutal manifestation of violence against women and girls, and therefore, calls on every Liberian to assist in heightening efforts to arrest all those in connection with the inhumane act.
The Liberian National Police has arrested several suspects in connection with the cruelty. The Ministry of Gender quotes sources as saying that the survivor, a Canadian-based Liberian, was a victim of mistaken identity while in the red light market. Police further notified the Ministry that the survivor was mistaken for another person who the alleged perpetrators claimed had stolen a motorcycle.
The Canadian based Liberian woman and her two kids were visiting Liberia from Canada prior to the dreadful incident.
Ministry terms the brutalization of the innocent woman as regrettable, and that, the onslaught displayed could further undermine the ongoing stride made by Liberia and its international partners to arrest the cruel acts of violence against women and girls.
The release notes that such cruelty violates a number of human rights enshrined in the instruments ratified by Liberia, including inter alia, the right to life and physical integrity; the right not to be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; the right not to be subjected to violence, abuse or exploitation; the right to health; the right to education; the right to an effective remedy; and the right to equal protection and equality before the law.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
The Ministry reminds that as a state party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the “Maputo Protocol”), Liberia has made legally binding commitments to exercise due diligence to combat gender-based violence and discrimination. Liberia has an obligation to take all appropriate measures to prevent all forms of violence against women and ensure that there are adequate sanctions for violators.
Additionally, it says it is seriously frustrated and troubled by scenes and other expressions portrayed in the video trending.
The Ministry views the action of those pictured in the video as devilish, embarrassing and malicious, indicates that said barbarism exhibited has the propensity to further present a negative picture of the civility of the Liberian Society, and that, such act must never be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the Ministry extends sincere apology to the survivor and family, and promises to engage with the Liberia National Police (LNP) to bring all perpetrators to justice. Press Release
