By Rachel Saykiamien
The Liberia Feminist Coalition has expressed deep outrage over the disturbing allegation that Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, J. Bryant McGill, is involved in the rape of a 14-year-old girl.
The Coalition, comprising five women-led institutions, including WONGOSOL, the Liberia Feminist Forum, Medica Liberia, Sisters for Sisters, and Radical Young Women Initiatives, condemned the fact that the accused remains at large while the minor endures trauma. The group stressed that this situation sends a harmful message to survivors of sexual violence and undermines Liberia’s justice system.
Emphasizing that rape is a serious crime, the Feminist Coalition reminded the public that Liberian law classifies statutory rape, sexual activity with anyone under 18, as a first-degree felony punishable by life imprisonment. A 14-year-old minor cannot legally consent under any circumstances.
The Coalition also pointed to Liberia’s obligations under international treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Maputo Protocol, which demand protection for women and children against sexual violence. Failure to act decisively, they warned, could undermine Liberia’s standing under these commitments.
While praising the Minister of Youth and Sports for publicly condemning the allegations, the Coalition stressed that justice must not be influenced by political connections or social rank.
“If this was an ordinary Liberian citizen, they would already be detained,” the group stated. “Justice must be impartial, prompt, and thorough.”
The Coalition urged the Ministry of Justice, the Liberia National Police, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to act swiftly to ensure accountability.
“We stand firmly with the survivor and her family and will continue to push for justice until those responsible are held accountable,” the Coalition declared, underscoring the need for consistent and transparent protection for all women and girls in Liberia.
About the Liberia Feminist Coalition
The Liberia Feminist Coalition is a platform of five women-led institutions: WONGOSOL, the Liberia Feminist Forum, Medica Liberia, and Sisters for Sisters. The Coalition works collectively to amplify advocacy, demand accountability, and advance gender justice. Its members are committed to protecting the rights of women and girls, confronting sexual and gender-based violence, and ensuring women’s meaningful participation in decision-making at all levels.
