Monrovia, Tuesday, November 26, 2024 – The Country Director of Plan International – Liberia, Madam Miriam Murray has called on the local media to be sensitive in the kinds of stories they put out about women issues in the country.
Madam Murray wants the local media build stories that protect women and project their plights and not stories that will shame them and make matters worse.
According to her, stories from the local media should trigger policy actions from duty bearers that will bring relief to women and girls who have suffered perennial marginalization, discrimination, abuse and gender-based violence in Liberia.
Madam Murray was speaking Monday when her organization joined several women rights groups, rights campaigners, the UN and the Government of Liberia at programs marking the official launch of 16 Days of Activism Against gender-based violence.
She urged fellow partners to join the Ministry of Gender to heighten awareness about the protection of women’s rights, while at the same time calling for increased support to the Liberian Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Madam Murray said Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie is doing an excellent job and deserves all the support so that her work will make greater impact in the lives of women and girls in the country.
Platform Guests at the program
The Plan International Country Director then rallied partners to act promptly and not wait until the Ministry comes begging before helping out.
She also charged stakeholders and partners to mount a concerted effort in tackling Sexual and Gender Based Violence, urging Liberian women to speak out louder against things that affect them.
Monday’s program at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, now sets the stage for two weeks of global and national advocacy to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The 16 Days campaign is observed annually from 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟓, on 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 and concludes on 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎, on International 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲.
This year’s campaign is being observed under the Theme: ‘From Talk to Action! Let’s Join Hands to End Violence Against Women and Girls to Achieve Beijing +30.
Over the next two weeks, stakeholder organizations, such as Plan International Liberia, are expected to host various activities, including community engagements, media advocacy, and interactive forums aimed at promoting gender equality and ending all forms of violence against women and girls.
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
As one of the leading girl and child-centered organizations, Plan International started working in Liberia in 1981 and resumed operations in 2007 after the end of the second civil war.
Today Plan International Liberia is working actively in Montserrado, Lofa, Nimba, Bomi and Margibi Counties, reaching out to the most marginalized children and young people.
