Liberians Urged to Do Away With Gender-Base Violence
By Charles Yates

December 8, 2005 – (The Inquirer: Monrovia) The International Rescue Committee (IRC) gender-based violence program coordinator; Bibiane Nyiramana has urged Liberians to make the country free of violence, especially violence against women.

Ms. Nyiramana made the disclosure on Wednesday in Gbarnga; Bong County during the official opening of a conference on gender-based violence held in the county.

The IRC program coordinator noted that the only way forward is to have a violence-free society and to prevent violence against women because women are vital people in the society and therefore, their rights must be guaranteed and protected.

She called on the women of Liberia to help prevent violence perpetrated against them.

Ms. Nyiramana said that it is prudent at this point in time to address the issues surrounding violence against women since Liberians have a female president.

She called on the new government to work in partnership with those who are fighting and speaking for women's right.

For her part, the IRC's interim country director, Carmen Lopez-Chavero has called on all meaningful Liberians to get engaged in the fight for gender-based violence free society in Liberia.

Meanwhile, the Bong County coordinator of the Ministry of Gender, Mr. Thomas Jones has notified the need to touch what has been untouched over the years, mainly on the issues of violence against women and children in Liberia.

This year's gender-based violence national conference brought together participants from the 15 political subdivisions in the country. The program was organized by the International Rescue Committee and funded by the UNHCR.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200512090688.html