Paynesville: As part of an effort to end the spread of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls in Liberia, the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA), through its Office of Gender, Youth Promotion, and Program Development, has held a one-day workshop on SGBV against women and girls under the theme: From talk to action: Let’s Join Hands To End Violence Against Women and Girls and to Achieve Beijing +30.
The exercise, which was held at the CDA’s central office in Paynesville, brought together staff and members of the agency to gain insights on the danger of SGBV and how to carry out public awareness during the 16 Days of Activism.
During the training, staff of CDA brainstormed on critical issues surrounding sexual and gender-based violence, particularly its impact on women and girls in professional settings, schools, communities, and Liberia at large. It equipped the participants with knowledge and strategies to combat SGBV in Liberia
As a result of the training, CDA staff and members have taken the initiative to engage directly with communities, spreading awareness and encouraging action to combat gender-based violence. Also, the agency’s leadership is actively observing and supporting these efforts at the office to ensure a coordinated and impactful approach to this important campaign.
“This initiative reaffirms the CDA’s dedication to promoting gender equality and creating environments where women and girls can thrive without fear of violence or discrimination”, said Madam Augusta M. Watson, CDA’s Deputy Registrar General for Gender, Youth Promotion and Program Development
Madam Watson, who facilitated the day-long training, provided insights on sex and gender, recognizing signs of abuse, legal frameworks for protection, and the importance of building a culture of respect and accountability in the workplace. She further reaffirmed the CDA central administration’s commitment to actively promote women and girls’ voices as a way of ending violence against women and girls in Liberia.
At the end of the workshop, participants promised to fully implement the knowledge gained, including ensuring that the CDA remains safe and empowering for all.
“We are delighted to have such a great initiative to carry on awareness in various institutions and communities about gender-based violence against women and girls in our Liberian society. This initiative is a wakeup call for every Liberian to fight against the violation of women’s and girls’s rights. We are cognizant that our sisters and mothers are abused, and sometimes perpetrators go without bearing the full weight of the law. It’s our quest to the president of the Republic of Liberia to prioritize women’s rights across Liberia; build a robust society for all ages,” said one of the participants.
