ZORZOR, Lofa County – Curran Lutheran Hospital in Zorzor is leading a growing effort to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Lofa County through a dedicated program that provides free treatment, survivor support, and widespread community education. The initiative is funded by the German Institute for Medical Mission and is reaching deep into rural communities across Zorzor and Salayea Districts.
By T. Prince Mulbah, Contributing Writer
The campaign, titled “Building Medical Care for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence,” officially launched in December 2024 and will run through May 31, 2026. It was developed following a disturbing 2024 case involving a 10-year-old girl in Kpayaquelleh Town, Salayea District.
The girl, a survivor of sexual assault, also developed fistula and was treated at Curran Lutheran Hospital. Her case helped shape the revised project proposal that now seeks to raise GBV awareness, improve medical response, and strengthen community protections.
In a more recent case, a 10-year-old girl (name withheld), enrolled at Zelemai Public School in Zorzor District, was reportedly coerced into sex by her teacher after failing an exam. The child remained silent for weeks, and efforts by police and hospital counselors initially failed to break through. She later spoke out while receiving care at JFK Medical Center in Monrovia, following intervention by Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee. The assault left her with long-term health challenges.
Her experience mirrors the harsh realities faced by many girls and women in rural Liberia. These stories have become critical to Curran Lutheran Hospital’s campaign, which integrates healthcare, psychosocial support, and legal education to break the silence surrounding GBV.
A central component of the initiative involves building the capacity of frontline health workers. So far, 200 health practitioners in Zorzor and Salayea have received training in GBV response and medical protocols. These sessions aim to ensure that survivors receive sensitive, effective care that respects their dignity.
Physician Assistant Henry Mawolo, District Health Officer for Salayea, highlighted the training’s impact: “Our staff are now better prepared to handle GBV cases with compassion and professionalism. This training empowers us to be more than just medical providers; we are advocates for change.”
To expand the initiative beyond medical response, the project has trained another 200 community volunteers. These include paramount chiefs, clan and town leaders, youth and women leaders, police officers, and local court officials. Their role is to help reshape community attitudes about GBV and reinforce protective practices.
Paramount Chief Matorma Siryon of Salayea District remarked after one session: “Based on this education, I will meet with all town chiefs in Salayea to discuss how we can collectively fight violence against women. I may be old, but I’m a woman too, and I could be abused.”
More than 120 stakeholders have participated in community engagement forums organized under the program. These meetings raise awareness about survivors’ rights, available medical and legal services, and the importance of speaking out.
To reinforce these messages, the project has produced and distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials across the districts. These include posters, T-shirts, banners, and flyers prominently displayed in community spaces. A weekly radio talk show hosted on Radio Life 92.5 FM also features experts and local leaders discussing GBV-related topics and guiding survivors on where to seek help.
Curran Lutheran Hospital has officially declared that all GBV-related services are free of charge. These include medical care, psychological counseling, and legal referrals. The hospital says this policy is aimed at removing financial barriers that may prevent survivors from seeking help.
Between February and July 2025, the hospital’s GBV project recorded 135 cases. These include rape, teenage pregnancy, physical assault, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and exploitation. Teenage pregnancy accounted for the highest number of cases, followed by physical abuse.
At a recent training in Zolowo Town—a mining community with a high rate of GBV incidents—Project Manager PA Prince Paye of Curran Lutheran Hospital noted steady progress: “This project represents a significant step toward building a community where violence against women and girls is not tolerated, and survivors are supported. Change takes time, but with continued dedication, we are forging a safer future for Zorzor and Salayea.”
The hospital’s integrated approach—uniting healthcare delivery, community engagement, and media outreach—demonstrates that coordinated action can lead to meaningful change. As local leaders, healthcare providers, and residents begin to unite against GBV, survivors are feeling more empowered to report abuse and seek justice.
