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Monrovia--With over 600 reported cases in the last 7 months, Liberians are fired up for change. Recent r allies to protest gender-based violence, rape, and sexual assault, indicate the level of dissatisfaction with the lack of prosecution of perpetrators.  It is not uncommon to find perpetrators receiving no jail term even with evidence and a history of sexual assault.  While there have been improvements in addressing some of these issues, Liberia still has a long way to go, especially now that there is sufficient data to prove that sexual violence is still rampant and new strategies are needed to deal with it. Oftentimes, rape cases are withdrawn due to threats to the victims or resolution by parents and the perpetrator, without the victim’s knowledge.  From healthcare service providers to police officers, there are still gaps to fill to ensure that sexual assault survivors not only get the right medical care but also access justice. 

Mohammed Cheto Jalloh (second from right in the front row)  is a writer and poet. He is also an activist, and for someone so young, he is shouldering huge responsibilities.  M.C. Jalloh  is dedicated to stopping the rape epidemic and domestic violence in his community in Liberia.  He helps raise awareness by organizing marches, visiting universities around the country, and spreading the word.  Over the last five years, he served as co-chair of  the Montserrado County Children's Forum/Parliament. M.C. Jalloh recently graduated from the Monrovia College and Industrial Training School. Currently, he's studying public administration and sociology at the African Methodist Episcopal University in Monrovia, Liberia.

Teenage pregnancy is a major issue in Sierra Leone. According to statistics gathered by UNICEF and Sierra Leone's Demographic and Health Survey, 13 per cent of girls are married by their 15th birthday and 39 per cent of girls before their 18th birthday.  During the COVID-19 lock down period in my community, I noticed at least 10 teenagers who are pregnant. I was fortunate to chat with a few and Fomie Bangura is one of them.  “I was raped," she stated. “He promised me some money to help with my studies and raped me when I visited him to collect the money. I was asked out of the house by my parents. I had to go stay with my grandmother. I stopped attending school and started selling (fana makit).  I also spoke to Aminata Bangura (photo inset). She works for Save the Children Sierra Leone. According to her, peer pressure, other influences, and poverty are some of the reasons leading to teenage pregnancy. She also mentioned that teenage girls face lots of constraint...