By Nukanah Kollie / kollienukanah94@gmail.com
BONG COUNTY— In a modest home in Gbarnga, Bong County, Liberia, a young woman known as Mary Flomo (not her real name) sits in quiet contemplation, her hands resting in her lap as her orange slippers press against the dusty ground. A colorful lappa drapes over her legs. Though the afternoon sun shines brightly, her posture exudes resilience—a testament to the strength she has carried through unimaginable hardship.
Once living a simple, peaceful life filled with childhood laughter and helping on her family’s farm, Mary’s world was forever altered when she became the victim of repeated sexual violence at the hands of her own father.
“I was fifteen when my father sexually assaulted me multiple times on our farm,” she recalls, her voice subdued but brimming with pain. “He threatened to kill me if I told my mother. One day, I confided in my aunt, who took me to the hospital. That’s when they discovered I was pregnant by my father.”
A medical report from a nearby health center in 2022 confirmed she was five months pregnant at the time. With her family’s consent, the pregnancy was legally terminated at the government-run C.B. Dunbar Hospital. Though the physical ordeal had ended, the emotional and psychological scars remain.
As word of the abuse spread, Mary’s father fled across the border, reportedly seeking refuge in neighboring Guinea to evade justice. His escape left Mary and her younger siblings to navigate immense hardship alone. Now living in temporary shelter in Monrovia, she remains in hiding, relying on minimal food and shelter assistance.
Despite the adversity she faces, Mary remains determined to build a future. Previously enrolled in grade five before financial struggles forced her to drop out, she dreams of becoming a medical doctor and securing her independence. “If someone helps me, I want to go to school,” she says with determination. “If they assist with a business too, I could manage it.” She hopes to establish a small business one day to support herself and her family.
Mary’s experience mirrors those of countless others. The 2019–2020 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey revealed that more than 55% of ever-married women aged 15–49 have endured some form of intimate partner violence, with physical abuse being the most prevalent. These figures underscore the alarming rate of gender-based violence in Liberia and the critical need for systemic change.
The Liberian government has introduced initiatives to address this crisis. In 2020, former President George Weah declared rape a national emergency and signed the Domestic Violence Act into law. Additionally, the Liberia Spotlight Initiative, launched in 2019, aims to eliminate violence against women and girls through community-driven solutions and expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Yet, despite these measures, challenges persist. A 2023 Afrobarometer survey revealed that while most Liberians agree domestic violence should be treated as a criminal offense, many still regard it as a private matter to be resolved within families. This cultural stigma often discourages survivors from speaking out and seeking justice.
Mary’s plea is a call for action. “I want to tell people to help me go to school,” she says. “I want to live a better life.” She is also urging President Joseph N. Boakai’s administration to revive her case and launch a thorough investigation to ensure her father is held accountable for his alleged crimes. The weight of her trauma lingers, particularly when she recalls the repeated abuse on the farm, where her younger brothers were often sent away to collect water and wood.
Beyond seeking justice for herself, Mary hopes to inspire others. She encourages her peers to speak out and report any form of sexual abuse rather than suffer in silence. “No one should have to go through this alone,” she asserts.
To assist Mary and her siblings, please contact:
+231 886570539 / +231 886 392 814 | +231 778 024 328 | WhatsApp: +231 888 951602
