Women Rights Activist, Atty. Harris Cautions Women to Not Tolerate Any Form of Violence
MONROVIA, Liberia- The Executive Director of the Young Paramount Women Initiative, Atty. Facia Harris has made a compelling call to women not to tolerate any violence melted against them in politics or in their society.
Atty. Harris made the statement at a one-day women’s dialogue meant to identify some of the issues that lead to violence against women in their homes, politics, and how to rally support for women to be fully represented in the legislature comes October.
Presenting on the topic: Understanding the causes, forms, and prevention of violence against women in elections, Madam Harris used the occasion to encourage women to always report any form of violence against them.
Using her legal background Atty Harris said, under the law, no one should be insulted for supporting a particular candidate of their choice but rather everyone should have that free will to support whoever they want to support as enshrined in Article 5 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia
Article 5 of the Liberian Constitution provides that strengthening the national integration and unity of the people of Liberia, regardless of ethnic, regional, or other differences, into one body politic; and the Legislature shall enact laws promoting national unification and the encouragement of all citizens to participate in government; preserve, protect and promote positive Liberian culture, ensuring that traditional values which are compatible with public policy and national progress are adopted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the Liberian society; take steps, by appropriate legislation and executive orders, to eliminate sectionalism and tribalism, and such abuses of power as the misuse of government resources, nepotism, and all other corrupt practices.
She said, despite the gender policies and international laws in the book, violence is still been perpetrated against women.
“Women go through physical, psychological and emotional violence and when heartless men want to make women shame, they will start to discuss her body in order to discourage her,” Atty. Harris said.
Also speaking at the dialogue, the head of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), Madam Siatta Scott Johnson used the occasion to rally women to support their fellow women to encourage women’s political participation in the country.
“Let us encourage our sisters to always vote for women, women are good leaders and decisions maker if they are given the chance because they know the pain of another woman,” Madam Johnson said.
She presented on the topic: Why do women’s political, participation, Representation, and leadership matter in Liberia?
The Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI) is a woman-led, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of adolescent girls and young women in Liberia.
