One prisoner at Liberia’s Monrovia Central Prison is serving 10 years for raping an 11-year old girl. The 33-year-old admitted to the crime, and is now getting mental health treatment through a government program for sex criminals. The prisoner spends much of his day learning skills that he hopes will permit him to lead a less-violent life after his release.
“I’m a rapist. I was put in prison for the past two years. I’ve been able to improve my life in prison. I do some life skills programs like animal-raising, soap-making so I feel so much better. One day when I will be released, I will be a good citizen.”
During Liberia’s long civil war there were many rapes and other gender-based violence. Such crimes have continued in Liberia since the end of the war. The government is giving more support to women who are victims of such crimes. It is also talking with men and to criminals who are seeking to improve their lives. These efforts are happening across Africa.
The women’s organization FEMNET supports gender equality activities across Africa. It has created men-to-men programs in seven countries. It is trying to bring in more men to support a campaign against gender-based violence.
FEMNET Chairwoman Emma Kaliya is based in Malawi. She says men should be involved in the campaign.
“Personally I do not agree that they are the only perpetrators of violence, but they form, they form the higher percentage of those that are called perpetrators, and therefore it is necessary that you bring them on board and not leaving them behind on this process of eliminating gender-based violence.”
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25