In Grand Gedeh County, communities confront violence against women and girls

In many rural communities in Liberia, violence against women and girls has long remained shrouded in silence, sustained by stigma, fear and deeply rooted social norms that continue to limit the safety, education and opportunities of women and girls.

In Grand Gedeh County, communities are beginning to confront those realities more openly.

Across Duogee, Pennokon, Jazon and Zwedru towns, women’s groups, youth leaders, traditional authorities and local organizations gathered to discuss rape, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) that continue to affect women and girls across rural communities. Conversations that were once rarely held in public are increasingly taking place in community spaces, local forums and on radio programmes reaching thousands of listeners across the county.

Supported by the European Union through the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 and implemented by UN Women Liberia in partnership with the National Coalition Against Harmful Practices (NACAHP), the Grand Gedeh GBV and Child Protection Network and civil society organizations, the campaign forms part of wider efforts to strengthen community-led action to end violence against women and girls across Liberia. The initiative also promotes support for the proposed Women and Girls Protection Act currently before the Liberian Legislature.

Beyond raising awareness, the discussions reflected growing concern over the long-term impact of violence and harmful practices on the lives of women and girls, including barriers to education, protection, participation and access to support services. Participants also highlighted the continued stigma faced by survivors, particularly in rural communities where reporting abuse and accessing psychosocial support or justice services often remain difficult.

For many community leaders, the discussions underscored the need to challenge harmful practices that continue to be normalized or justified in the name of tradition.

“Culture should be a source of pride and empowerment, not pain or oppression,” said Marian Deah, National Administrator of the National Coalition Against Harmful Practices, emphasizing the need for communities to challenge practices that undermine the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.

She added that by expanding women’s access to education, leadership and protection, communities can transform traditions into sources of strength rather than barriers.

The campaign also placed strong emphasis on the role of communities in protecting girls’ rights and expanding educational opportunities for young women and girls.

In Jazon Town, Chief Arthur Glahn said the discussions had encouraged communities to reflect more openly on the consequences of child marriage and violence against girls.

“Young girls deserve the opportunity to go to school and live free from violence,” he said.

Participants further stressed that lasting progress depends not only on stronger laws and services, but also on greater collective responsibility within communities, including the active involvement of men and boys in challenging harmful norms and violence against women and girls.

Nathaniel Gee, a social worker with Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Grand Gedeh County, called on men and boys to become stronger advocates for respect, equality and the protection of women and girls.

Oretha Lah-Bangurah, UN Women Liberia’s Programme Support Officer and Coordinator for the Southeastern Counties, emphasized the importance of sustained community engagement to address harmful norms, strengthen support for survivors and encourage greater accountability in responding to violence against women and girls.

“Communities play a critical role in challenging harmful norms and supporting survivors,” she said, noting that ending violence against women and girls requires collective action.

Nearly 300 people, including women, youth representatives, traditional leaders and community members, participated in the campaign activities across Grand Gedeh County.

While changing deeply rooted norms takes time, the growing willingness of communities to openly confront violence against women and girls reflects an important shift. Across Grand Gedeh County, women leaders, youth advocates and community authorities are helping create spaces where the rights, dignity and safety of women and girls can no longer be treated as secondary concerns.