UN envoy to Liberia stresses need to end violence against women

The United Nations envoy to Liberia has called for an end to violence against women, while stressing that security is paramount for everyone throughout the West African nation as it works to rebuild after a brutal 14-year civil war.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General Alan Doss made his remarks yesterday as he handed over a new UN-built police station to the people of Kronowroken, Webbo District, in River Gee County, along Liberia’s border with Côte d’Ivoire.

“It does not matter where you are in Liberia, your security is important. River Gee County may be a long way from Monrovia but you are not forgotten,” said Mr. Doss, referring to the capital. The building was constructed under the UN Mission in Liberia’s (UNMIL’s) quick impact project initiative.

Noting that the opening of the new station in such a remote area was a demonstration of UNMIL’s resolve to cater for the security of Liberians everywhere, Mr. Doss also called on citizens to “stamp out violence against women.” In particular, he urged the people of Webbo to report any such incidents to the women and children’s unit at the new police station.