The Women Non-Governmental Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has held a one-day dialogue with the Women Legislative Caucus at the 54th Legislature to promote and advance the rights of women and girls across the country.
The engagement also sought to enhance sexual reproductive health rights, gender-based violence, women’s political participation and women’s economic empowerment, among others.
Speaking over the weekend at the opening ceremony in Monrovia, WONGOSOL Executive Director, Madam Esther Davis Yango said enacting the drug law without a nonbailable clause poses serious threat to the youthful population of Liberia.
Madam Yango stressed that abuse of illicit drugs is destroying the youth and a law that is nonbailable could help to curtail importation of illicit drugs in the country.
She urged the women of Liberia to stand up against the drug law as it is in the fight to eradicate substance abuse, lamenting that it is painful when women go through nine months’ pain and later see their children become victims of dangerous drugs.
She maintained that the drug law should be nonbailable to protect the children of Liberia, adding that drug abuse is alarming across the country.
Meanwhile, Montserrado County Electoral District #4 Representative Rustonlyn S. Dennis said it is crucial for community dwellers to inform President George Manneh Weah about the impact of illicit drugs in their communities rather than hailing.
Representative Dennis said informing President Weah directly of issues affecting their communities, will enhance the process of tackling drug abuse decisively.
Lofa County Electoral District #2, Representative Julie F. Wiah, said drug abuse has taken over a huge population of Liberian youth.
Representative Wiah noted that disadvantaged youths are now attacking cars with Representative license plates at packing places in Monrovia.
She stressed that the fight against drug abuse is a national emergency and Liberian women should do everything possible to ensure that the drug law passes with a nonbailable provision inserted.
According to Rep. Wiah, drug abuse intensifies rape incidents in the country despite the Rape Law.
Gbarpolu County Senator Botoe Kanneh said without a non-bailable provision, the drug law would not be effective in curtailing illicit drugs in the country.
She rallied fellow women to constructively engage the Executive Branch of government to ensure that the Drug Law is non-bailable.
Senator Kanneh emphasized the need for more women to get elected to the Legislature in the pending general and presidential elections in 2023.
The advocacy engagement with Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia was organized by WONGOSOL with support from KVINNA. Editing by Jonathan Browne
