President Weah Says Rape Is National Emergency

MONROVIA Sept 11-Liberian president George Manneh Weah on Friday issued a proclamation declaring RAPE as a National Emergency.

The President issued the proclamation after Cabinet convened and received the National Anti Rape & SGBV Roadmap which evolved from deliberations of Inter-Ministerial Task Force and was validated by the National Anti-Rape & Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Conference held at the Ministerial Complex on September 8 – 9, 2020.

Under the National Rape Emergency, the President has announced the following initial measures:

1. The appointment of a Special Prosecutor for rape
2. The setting up of a National Sex Offender Registry
3. The establishment of a National Security Task Force on SGBV
4. The allotment of an initial amount of USD 2 Million to fund to beef up the fight against rape and SGBV

Speaking following the issuance of the proclamation, President Weah said his administration will spare no effort in ensuring that the epidemic of rape and SGBV is curtailed.

He said additional measures will be announced subsequently including Executive Orders aimed at protecting the vulnerable and banning harmful traditional practices.

The President urged all Liberians, activist, advocates along with local and international stakeholders to work with the government in defeating the scourge of rape in the country.