The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has, for the first time, participated in the global campaign against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) by organizing an event to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The event, held under the theme “Together, Let’s Unite to Stop Violence against Women and Girls,” focused on raising awareness about gender mainstreaming and advocating for an end to violence against women and girls.
SGBV continues to be a global crisis, affecting millions of women and girls each year. It is a severe violation of human rights, often involving violence, coercion, and cultural or economic pressures.
Marvinia Seton, an MME staff member, opened the event, highlighting the significance of the Ministry’s participation in this global initiative. Martina Hosna-Janeta, Head of the Gender and Social Inclusion Unit at MME, emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to tackling gender-based violence, revealing shocking statistics: in 2020, 81,000 women and girls globally were killed due to SGBV, most at the hands of intimate partners or relatives—an average of one death every 11 minutes.
Hosna-Janeta also addressed the vulnerability of people living with disabilities in Liberia, describing them as disproportionately affected by abuse, legal inequalities, and human rights violations. “People with disabilities face heightened vulnerability, pushing many into extreme poverty,” she stated, referencing data from HOPE, which shows that 99% of disabled individuals in Liberia live in poverty, compared to 48% of the general population.
She urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and other government officials to take concrete actions to address SGBV, calling for the enforcement of laws and the creation of inclusive spaces for people with disabilities.
Minister Wilmot Paye expressed his strong support for gender equality, proudly identifying as a feminist and committing to advocate for women and girls. “I will always advocate for women and girls, even if it means being biased in their favor,” Paye affirmed.
The event included a parade from Monrovia City Hall to MME’s headquarters, symbolizing unity in the fight against gender-based violence. It was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from the National AIDS Commission, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Justice.
