House Of Rep. Frowns At Rapists -Mandates Five Committees To Probe Anti-Rape Petition   By Mark N. Mengonfia – mmenginfia@gmail.com 

Members of the House Representatives have mandated five of its committees to conduct a public hearing on the petition presented by the anti-rape campaigners and report  to the plenary of that body within two weeks time.

The decision was reached after discussions on the issues of rape in open plenary on Thursday.

Committees clothed with the responsibility to conduct public hearings with relevant government authorities and institutions include Committees on Gender & Child Protection, Judiciary, Health, Security and Ways Means & Financial. A motion raised by Nimba County district nine representatives, Johnson Gwaikolo mandated them to speedily investigate, conduct public hearing and find a root cause and how it can be addressed.

Ways Means & Financial is placed on the committee to identify sources of funding to aid the committee when they shall come out with their findings and recommendations.

Speaking earlier during the discussion, Lofa County District one Lawmaker Julie Fatorma Wiah, who chairs the House’s Committee on Gender, said it is sad to see the level of violence in the Liberian republic.

“I am asking all of you to join the women. The issue of rape is not only women; we all have children and especially girl’s children. It is now time that those good laws we have passed be implemented” the Lofa county lawmaker said.

Rep. Kanie A. Wesso of Gbarpulu county district two called for amendment of the rape law to ensure that kids be protected  while  Bomi County District three Lawmaker, Haja Fata Siryon said “we really need to establish the root cause of this rape. What people  looking for in a child’s under clothes?”

According to Rep. Siryon, what the rapists are doing is ‘total madness’ and an example needs to be set to serve as deterrent. 

She recommended that the hands of would be rapist be cut off followed by his private part as signal to them.

Moima Briggs  Mensah who represents Bong County said since the passage of the domestic violence law, it appears like rapists are testing them, the lawmaker. She called on her colleagues to ensure that the examples to set to reduce the ongoing evil acts by some heartless individuals in the country.

For his part, Nimba County District eight lawmaker, Larry Nounquoi blasted President George Weah for his refusal to receive the petition from the women and youth group who have requested his presence.

According to him, it would have caused the president nothing to have gone on the first day of the protest to hear what they had to say to him.

“Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that the women and some men who mean well for this country have come out for the past three days, and the executive, the president has not come out to speak with these people” the Nimba District nine lawmaker said.