By Nukanah Kollie
Zota District, Bong County- In the dim evening light, Gorpu Yarkpawolo (not her real name) sits barefooted outside her neighbour home, surrounded by her three young sons. Tears roll down her face as she recounts the unimaginable ordeal that shattered her family’s life. Her voice trembles as she pleads for help, a chance to start a small business, provide education for her children, and rebuild their lives after enduring profound trauma.
Years ago, Gorpu and her family lived a quiet life in Zota District, Bong County, sustained by subsistence farming. Their days were spent planting crops, a humble yet stable existence. But in 2022, their fragile peace was destroyed when her 15-year-old daughter in 2022, now 18 years old, Mary Flomo (not her real name), became the victim of repeated sexual violence. Allegedly raped multiple times and impregnated by her own father, the discovery of her pregnancy five months later sent shockwaves through the family and their community.
A medical report from Belefanai Health Center in 2022 confirmed that the teenager, five months pregnant, had been sexually abused on several occasions. She told police investigators that her biological father, Janteh Togbah, had threatened to kill her if she revealed the abuse. However, the pregnancy was legally aborted in Gbarnga with her mother’s agreement, but the scars of the ordeal remain.
Mother with the three boys and this is the survivor below when she was pregnant before the legal abortion.
Janteh fled to neighboring Guinea after the abuse became public, leaving Gorpu to cope with the fallout with the four children alone. Oppressed by stigma and pain, she relocated to Gbarnga, seeking anonymity and a chance to rebuild. Her new life in the city has brought its own struggles. She now resides in a congested one-room mishit structure, relying on her small garden and the earnings of her sons, who sell donuts on the streets. Every day is a battle to afford food and rent.
Despite her dire circumstances, Gorpu remains determined to secure a better future for her children. During an interview, she appealed to compassionate individuals and humanitarian organisations, both locally and internationally, for help. She dreams of starting a small business to provide sustainable income and stability. Her plea extends beyond economic aid; she hopes for educational opportunities for her children, her three sons and her daughter so they can escape the cycle of poverty and build successful lives.
“This is not just a story of suffering,” Gorpu said, her voice breaking. “It’s a call for action. I want my children to have a chance, to rise above this tragedy.”
The mother, struggling to provide for her children, has become a central figure in this ongoing story. Living with three boys and the daughter relocated a temporary place in Monrovia, her life has been troubled with hardship, but her unwavering spirit continues to guide her family forward.
A Broader Crisis
Gorpu’s story is not an isolated case. Liberia has long grappled with high rates of sexual and domestic violence, a legacy worsened by years of civil conflict. According to the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, nearly 74% of reported gender-based violence cases in 2022 involved rape. Despite the passage of the Domestic Violence Act in 2019, which criminalises various forms of abuse, enforcement remains a significant challenge. Sexual violence remains a pervasive issue in Liberia, exacerbated by the traumatic legacy of the country’s brutal civil war. The World Health Organization’s 2002 report revealed that between 61% and 77% of women and girls in Liberia were raped during the conflict, and the impact continues to be felt today.
The government has taken steps to address these issues, including the establishment of specialised courts like Court E to handle sexual violence cases. However, systemic barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and cultural stigmas continue to hinder progress. Survivors often face a culture of silence and impunity, with many perpetrators evading justice.
The Role of NGOs
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have stepped in to fill the gaps left by the government. Groups like Men Against Rape and Domestic Violence (MARDV) and Just A Girl Initiatives (JAGI) are working to raise awareness, provide support to survivors, and advocate for policy changes. These organizations also focus on community education, aiming to shift societal norms that perpetuate violence.
Despite these efforts, the lack of safe homes for victims remains a critical issue. Survivors like Gorpu and her daughter often have nowhere to turn, forcing them to remain in unsafe environments or face homelessness. The absence of comprehensive support systems exacerbates the long-term psychological and economic impacts of violence.
The Liberian government, with the assistance of international organizations, has made strides in strengthening systems to address sexual violence. In 2020, President George Weah declared rape a national emergency and allocated funding to end gender-based violence. Specialized courts and support centers have been established, and training programs for law enforcement and judiciary officials have been implemented. However, the system still struggles with overcrowded courts, slow litigation processes, and a lack of adequate support for survivors, including safe spaces for recovery and reintegration. The collaboration between national authorities and international partners remains crucial in overcoming these obstacles.
Ending sexual violence in Liberia requires a comprehensive, survivor-centered approach that includes legal reforms, improved access to justice, and robust support services. A complex strategy that addresses the physical, psychological, and social needs of survivors is essential. This approach should also involve the active participation of both men and women in challenging harmful norms and advocating for change. The collective efforts of national and international stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organizations, and international partners, are critical in creating an inclusive society where survivors can rebuild their lives, and perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
A Call to Action:
For his part, Paul, age 16, one of the survivor’s younger brothers, as a second born to their only sister, now dreams of finishing school and helping his siblings and mother. “It’s hard to focus on my studies in a government run elementary school here, when we are struggling so much. But I want to help my mom and take care of my brothers and only sister one day,” he confides. Stable housing remains one of their most pressing needs. “I just want a place where we can live in peace,” Paul (Not his real name) says.
His resilience and hope shine brightly amid adversity, reminding us of the power of community and compassion. Gorpu’s plea challenges the society to extend a hand, provide assistance, and invest in a family’s future. With support, he determination could transform the lives of her children, turning tragedy into success.
“I’m somehow alright, but it’s not easy,” Paul said softly. “My father left us and he has been on the run after the incident, and we had to relocate to a new place. Things are different here.”
Gorpu and her kids struggle is far from over, and it’s clear that this family, like so many others, needs more than just basic assistance. It requires the long-term support of communities and institutions willing to step in and make a difference.
At the same time, the Ministry of Gender Bong County Coordinator Madam Musu M.Mulbah told our investigative reporter that the survivor currently in Monrovia at an unknown location and her mother initially received some psychological and other smaller assistance from partner but everything has dried out thereby leaving them to face the aftermath on their own.
She at the same time joined them to appeal to goodwill people and NGOs for financial and materials toward the single mother and her four children desperately in need.
As this investigation continues, we must ask ourselves: What more can be done for these families? What kind of future are we offering our children when they are left to face insurmountable obstacles on their own? This young girl’s at the age of 18 now story is a reminder of the harsh realities that many children are forced to endure. She may be just one story among many, but her plight reflects a much larger issue that demands urgent attention.
To reach out to Gorpu, her daughter, and her sons, please contact: +231886392814 / +231778024328 / +231888951602.
