Gender and Development Minister-designate, Mrs. Vabah Gayflor, wants the transitional government and the international community along with all peace-loving Liberians and human rights advocacy groups in Liberia, to ensure that the rights of women are protected and respected and that perpetrators of violence against women are brought to justice.

Speaking on November 25th at the Health Ministry in Monrovia during program marking the launching of 16 days of activism against gender violence, Minister Gayflor reminded Liberians that the Liberian government has ratified and signed many international instruments including the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the convention on the rights of the child. She said it was therefore incumbent upon the women to hold the government and all Liberians accountable to ensure that the CEDAW is implemented.

Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Etta Telewayon, frowned on Chairman Gyude Bryant of the NTGL and heads of all warring groups, political parties and civil society movements for the apparent marginalization of women’s full participation in the current government.

She said only very few women have been appointed to positions of trust. This she said, is a violation of women’s right. Mrs. Telewayon urged all women to wake up and institute sustained actions through awareness and education to ensure that violence against them are stopped.

According to the women, violence against women means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely in physical, sexual and psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats, deprivation of liberty whether in private or public life among others.

The 16 days of activism on gender violence against women is under the theme: "Violence Against Women Violates Human Rights: Maintaining the momentum Ten Years after Viena (1993-2003)."