Monrovia, Liberia – July 29, 2025 – The Progressive Students Alliance (PROSA) at the University of Liberia has called for a nationwide protest on August 27, 2025, to demand an end to rape and sexual violence in Liberia. This march comes after alarming data from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection showed 2,759 rape cases between January and October 2024, with Montserrado County reporting 1,902 cases—68.7% of the total.
This means an average of 276 cases per month, or about nine reported rapes every day, highlighting a serious national crisis needing urgent action. Liberia Records 2,759 Rape Cases In 2024 -Launches 16 Days Of Activism – The Inquirer Newspaper
PROSA Condemns Silence and Government Inaction
PROSA criticized the ongoing silence, shame, and lack of justice faced by survivors. They condemned the current Unity Party–led government for not taking enough steps to tackle the rise in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The students stressed that impunity encourages offenders and leaves survivors without support.
Government Figures Confirm Alarming Rise
At the official launch of the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Gender Minister Gbeme Horice-Kollie confirmed the same figures: 2,759 rape cases from January to October, 1,902 in Montserrado County, making up 68.7% of the national total. The numbers have been rising steadily: in 2023, Liberia recorded 3,204 rape cases, with 1,279 in Montserrado; in 2022, Montserrado had 815 cases. Liberia Launches 16 Days of Activism Today – Women Voices Newspaper
This increase has raised serious concerns among civil society and rights groups, who are calling for more funding and stronger support for the Ministry of Gender and related agencies.
Deepening Crisis and Systemic Impunity
Liberia continues to face a culture of impunity and weak enforcement of SGBV laws. Although rape is illegal and can lead to life imprisonment if involving minors or physical harm, spousal rape is still not fully criminalized, and prosecutions are rare.
Since the civil war, Liberia has struggled with high rates of sexual violence, including during the conflict when up to 77% of women and girls were reportedly raped. A 2016 UN report found that only about 2% of SGBV cases resulted in convictions, showing serious flaws in the justice system.
Civil society points to delays, lack of forensic resources, survivors’ fear of reporting, and stigma as reasons for low reporting and prosecutions. This cycle leaves many survivors without support and allows offenders to go free. 2022 US Human Rights Report Says: “Impunity” Continues To Reign In Liberia – News Public Trust.
PROSA Protest: Goals and Demands
PROSA’s march on August 27 aims to raise public awareness and pressure the government to act. Their demands include:
- Better resources for survivor support and legal aid
- Stronger enforcement of laws, including criminalizing marital rape
- More political will to speed up convictions and end impunity
- Wider outreach and SGBV referral services across all counties
National and International Responses
Groups like Men Against Rape and Domestic Violence (MARDV) have supported these demands, urging lawmakers to increase funding and run public education campaigns to challenge harmful traditions and attitudes that fuel SGBV.
International organizations such as UN Women and UNDP back reforms like special court sessions for sexual violence and “One Stop Centres” in Monrovia for survivors. However, they warn that progress so far is not enough to handle the rising cases nationwide. New UN report urges Liberia to act on rape – ‘legacy’ of impunity from 14-year civil conflict | UN News
Urgency and National Mobilization
With nearly 2,800 rape cases reported in ten months, Liberia faces deep problems including inequality, weak governance, and a struggling justice system. PROSA’s march seeks to not only protest but push for real change. Crimes against women n children have gone down due to such strict laws.
As the August 27 march approaches, survivors, activists, and citizens await the government’s response. The success of upcoming policy changes and investments will be crucial in deciding if this can be a turning point toward lasting protection and justice—or just more unfulfilled promises amid ongoing suffering.
