By: D Abraham Cooper Sr. I Grand Gedeh County Correspondent
Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh County- Nov. 26, 2025-A significant, unified effort by a conglomeration of local, national, and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) successfully launched the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign in Grand Gedeh County today.
The initiative, spanning from November 25th to December 10th, 2025, marks the start of a concentrated effort to educate the public and curb violence against women and girls.
Focus on the Digital Frontline
The 2025 campaign is anchored by the urgent global theme: “Unite! To end digital violence against all women and girls.” This theme signals a pivot toward addressing the growing threat of online harassment, image-based abuse, and cyber-bullying that disproportionately affects women and girls.
The day’s events kicked off with an energetic street parade through Zwedru’s principal thoroughfares, mobilizing public support and attention before culminating in a formal indoor program where leaders and stakeholders delivered powerful messages.
Stakeholder Mobilization
The launch demonstrated widespread community support, drawing together a diverse and powerful alliance, including:
Students and various Youth Groupings
Representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
Local advocacy groups for Women and Children
Leaders of Rural Women organizations
Overview and Call to Action
Mr. Leyon Benikpah set the stage by reading the program’s overview. In his address, he issued a fervent call for collective resolve, urging everyone to “stand firm in fighting against violence against women and girls.”
Mr. Benikpah specifically highlighted the dangers of digital abuse, appealing to individuals “to not take advantage of women and girls in whatever way that will affect their future life, either by posting their sexual videos or images on the social media.”
He stressed that achieving positive results requires more than just good intentions, emphasizing that participants must be “very intentional in what they have made up their minds to doing.”
Keynote Address: Legal Consequences Awaited
The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Mercy Gee, representing the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Ms. Gee used the platform to intensify awareness efforts against all forms of gender-based violence within the community.
She strongly cautioned social media users, demanding they “desist from misusing the social media by posting videos or content that will damage the future of someone.”
Most significantly, Ms. Gee issued a clear governmental warning: any such act against women and girls will be “taking seriously and if found guilty the perpetrators should face the full weight of the law.”
This statement underscores the Ministry’s commitment to pursuing justice and leveraging the legal system to prosecute digital and physical abusers.
Sustaining Momentum
Dixson CIO Leebah, the lead organizer of the campaign coalition, encouraged all attendees, especially students, to become active messengers.
“Carry the message back to their schools and communities in spreading the message across,”
Mr. Leebah urged, stressing the need for the information to permeate every social structure.
The launching ceremony concluded with a resounding endorsement from participants across diverse institutions.
They appreciated the organizing committee for the timely and relevant initiative and called for a pledge to continue the awareness throughout every community, town, and village to ensure the minimization of violence against women and girls in the society.
