MONROVIA – The efforts of Liberia’s Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor to construct a safe-home for the protection of survivors of sexual gender based violence (SGBV) has been boosted by a donation of eight empty containers from the Association of Shipping Line Representatives in Liberia.
The containers, according to a Press Release from the Office of the Vice President, will be professionally modified and designed as shelters to accommodate young females who are survivors of SGBV while they are being provided specialized care at the facility.
During a brief turning over ceremony at the weekend, at the APM Terminal Office, in the Freeport of Monrovia, representatives of the Association said they were pleased to be part of the project, assuring their fullest support towards the process.
The Shipping Lines Association include MAERSK, CMA CGM, MSC and BOLLORE. All four donated two containers each, summing up to eight containers which have been delivered to the office of the Vice President against the payment of all potential charges including customs, clearance, duty, terminal handing, storage and transportation.
The Chief of Office Staff in the Office of the Vice President Mr. George T. Nimely, who received the documents to the donation, thanked the Association for promptly responding to a recent request by the Vice President on the safe-home project for SGBV survivors in Liberia.
Amid the latest increase in the number of rape cases across the country, VP Howard-Taylor who is a strong women advocate has been advancing several points including seeking an amendment to the rape law and increasing the penalties.
She also vowed to join forces with others for an end to rape, describing it as inhumane and unlawful.
As a manifestation to said commitment, the Liberian Vice President recently reached out to a 14-year old girl in Camp # 3, Grand Cape Mount County who was raped and became pregnant as a result.
The 14-year old survivor was last year raped by a classroom teacher of the Pejuhum public school identified as Sense Kaiwu in Camp # 3 Grand Cape Mount County, Tewor District. She gave birth to a male child on the 14th of July, 2020 at the Diah Clinic in Tewor District, Grand Cape Mount.
Holding the child in her hands, VP Howard-Taylor said: “Ending rape and other harmful practices against women and girls, prosecuting these crimes, and providing the required level of support for the survivors requires each of us in this county to stand up, fight and take action”.
The Vice President, who presented several baby essentials and cash to the 14-yearold rape survivor and family in Madina, town Grand Cape Mount County, encouraged the teenager not to give up but remain focused despite the unfortunate incident in her life.
She then motivated the girl to value her education in order to make the rightful choices in contributing to society, noting that “you should focus on things you want to do in the future.”
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