WONGOSOL Urges Swift Government Action as Violence Against Women Intensifies

The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has raised serious concern over a growing pattern of violence and abuse against women and girls across the country and is urging the Government of Liberia to act swiftly to improve prevention, protection and access to justice. Founded in 1998, WONGOSOL serves as a coordinating body for women’s organizations and has long advocated stronger responses to sexual and gender-based violence in Liberia.

The latest appeal comes in the wake of several recent incidents, including the death of 19-year-old Dearest Paye, which have renewed public anxiety about the safety of women and girls. WONGOSOL extended condolences to Paye’s family and welcomed the cooperation between the Liberia National Police and the Sierra Leone Police that led to the arrest and transfer of a key suspect in the case.

The organization stressed, however, that an arrest on its own does not amount to justice. It called for a thorough investigation based on credible evidence and for timely prosecution if the facts support criminal charges. WONGOSOL further urged that any statements, video recordings or other materials linked to the case be handled carefully and examined in line with Liberian law and due process, warning that justice for Dearest Paye must not be allowed to stall.

WONGOSOL also highlighted alarming reports from Bong County and other rural areas, where women face particular challenges in securing protection and justice. These reports include the alleged assault of Lorpu Kollie by her husband, which reportedly led to her death, and the discovery of the body of an unidentified woman in a stream on August 4. The group is pressing the Liberia National Police to move quickly on these cases, establish the circumstances of the deaths and hold any perpetrators accountable where criminal acts are confirmed.

In addition, the organization noted the reported death of Grace Tenway, again conveying sympathy to her relatives and emphasizing that each case represents a human life, not just another statistic in an ongoing crisis. WONGOSOL argued that families affected by such violence deserve not only sympathy but also truth, justice and meaningful State support.

Of particular concern to WONGOSOL are allegations involving officers of State security institutions. The group cited reports that a pregnant woman, identified only as Princess, was allegedly assaulted by officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency during a search at her home in Paynesville. Relatives say she lost consciousness during the incident and later suffered a miscarriage.

WONGOSOL acknowledged that these claims have not yet been independently verified but insisted that their gravity requires an impartial, transparent and timely inquiry. The group reminded authorities that security officers are mandated to protect citizens, not to inflict fear or harm, and reiterated that any officers found to have committed abuses must be held to account. “No one is above the law,” the organization stressed, noting that this principle applies equally to those tasked with enforcing it.

According to WONGOSOL, the recent incidents cannot be dismissed as isolated tragedies. Instead, they point to broader failures in prevention, protection, policing, accountability and enforcement of existing laws, especially for women and girls living outside major urban centers. The group argued that gaps in security, survivor support and justice mechanisms leave many women exposed to repeated violence with little hope of redress.

WONGOSOL reminded the Government that Liberia’s obligations under national law, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol are legally binding and require concrete action to prevent violence, protect victims, prosecute offenders and provide meaningful remedies. These commitments, it said, must be visible in police work, investigations, prosecutions, budget allocations and survivor-centered services, rather than remaining only on paper.

In its statement, WONGOSOL set out a series of key demands. It called on the Government to ensure prompt, impartial investigations and timely prosecution in all cases of violence against women and girls. The organization urged stronger security measures and improved access to justice in rural communities, where distance, poverty and social pressures often hinder reporting and follow-up.

WONGOSOL also pressed for strict internal accountability within security institutions when officers are accused of abuse, insisting that disciplinary action and criminal prosecution should follow credible findings of wrongdoing. The group further called for increased investment in prevention, protection and services that place survivors at the center, including psychosocial support, medical care, legal aid and shelters. It demanded more effective enforcement of existing laws and mechanisms designed to address violence against women and girls.

“The Government must move from reaction to prevention, from statements to action, and from impunity to accountability,” the organization said, arguing that official responses often come only after public outrage rather than through proactive policy and law enforcement.

WONGOSOL’s Executive Director, Esther S. D. Yango, used the statement to speak directly to families, communities and young people, urging them to break the cycle of violence at the household and community level. She said women and girls should feel safe with those they trust and encouraged individuals in relationships that are breaking down to walk away before conflict turns into physical harm. Yango urged women and girls who feel unsafe to seek help early and prioritize their own survival over preserving a relationship that has become dangerous.

Addressing men and boys, Yango appealed for restraint and respect, warning that a moment of anger should never lead to irreversible tragedy. She urged men to step away from heated arguments rather than resort to violence, noting that protecting a daughter, mother, sister or grandmother is more important than “winning” a dispute.

WONGOSOL concluded by calling on government institutions, security agencies, justice actors, communities and families to respond with urgency and seriousness to the escalating violence. The organization insisted that the lives of women and girls should not be reduced to figures in police records or media reports and that their safety, dignity and right to life must be treated as a national priority.

The Secretariat pledged to continue its advocacy for stronger protection systems, effective accountability and real justice for survivors and families. Its goal, WONGOSOL said, is a Liberia in which every woman and girl can live without fear of violence and can trust that the State and society will stand with them when their rights are threatened.