Launch of Anti-Rape Campaign in Monrovia, Liberia
The official launch of the Anti Rape Campaign with the Theme: “Stand Up Against Rape” was organized by the Ministry of Gender and Development and the United Nations Joint Programme, with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Other government ministries like the Ministry of Justice, Health & Social Welfare, Education, and Internal Affairs. Other stakeholders participating in the event were Diplomats from the United States of America, and Sweden and the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) of the UN, the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate and the Representative of District #9 of Montserrado County. The Gender Based Violence Task Force members, Alpha Phi Alpha, Traditional leaders, Religious leaders, Women’s Groups, Men’s Groups, the Children’s Representative Forum, Civil Society Organizations, Cultural performers and Liberian Musicians, tow of whom were named the Rape Ambassadors, Takun J and Cultural Ambassador, Julie E. Tarpeh.
A highlight of the launch was the statement and lighting of Candles in memory of GBV survivors and Children who have died as a result of Rape.
Special Guests
As if celebrating THINK’s 10 anniversary was not exciting enough, this past week we received a few very special guests! We were honored to host members from Africare, representatives from IB Liberia and Exxon Mobil, and especially the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Our guests got a chance to meet the 25 girls that are currently enrolled in THINK’s 9 month rehabilitation program and to tour the THINK home in Monrovia.
This special visit, and the enthusiasm that the President expressed for the THINK program, has made our tenth anniversary that much more special. We hope that the next ten years bring even more involvement in the community, advocating for those who would otherwise have no advocate. To find out more particulars about what THINK does, visit our info page about the THINK homes at: http://thinkliberia.com/homes/
Valentine’s Day: One Billion Rising
This year THINK is linking arms with one billion people on Valentine’s Day!
The global event was created by http://onebillionrising.org/, which encourages advocates all over the world to create active events on Valentine’s Day in order to raise awareness about violence against women.
THINK has chosen to create a 5K Walk/Run in Monrovia that will boast guests such as the rapper TAKUN J and the former Miss Liberia, Miss Patrice Juah.
This Valentine’s Day help promote this amazing cause by posting to your favorite social media outlet about One Billion Rising and THINK’s 5K Walk/Run in Monrovia!
Olivia’s Story
One of the major goals of THINK, Inc. is to be the voice for those who often cannot speak up for themselves. In Liberia, this often looks like speaking out for young girls who have become victims of Gender Based Violence(GBV). Olivia was one of those victims.
When her case was reported to the GBV UNIT, Olivia was only 7 years old. Her father abandoned her family when she was six, so her mother and sister went to live with relatives. Her uncle made a habit of raping her which led to traumatic bleeding. She could not control her bladder nor her bowels. Her mother was a silent spectator as she had nowhere to go and no one to support her family.
Many months later, a relative discovered what had taken place and immediately took Olivia to Monrovia and reported to the Ministry of Gender and Development. She was admitted to a hospital and underwent several surgeries for the fistula that had developed.
Olivia passed away about two months ago at the young age of 12.
“Before her death, she had narrated her nightmare as part of a campaign against child rape. Olivia is no more but her voice will continue to be heard as the campaign to end child rape in Liberia intensifies.” -UN
Sis Rosie
This week my sister, Rosie, will be given an award from Vital Voices for her work in human rights. It is awarded by Vital Voices out of DC, and the awards ceremony is held at the JFK Center for preforming arts. Rumour has it that a celebrity will be presenting the award to Rosie. She will accept it humbly, graciously and thankfully. She will go back to Liberia and continue to speak for those who can’t and fight for those who are being abused. She doesn’t do it to be recognized, she does it because she is full of a love that only God can give, and this love overflows from her. Georgie Hungerpiller Davis
2011 Global Leadership Award
2011 Global Leadership Award – Vital Voices
The Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards honor and celebrate women leaders around the world who are the unsung heroines working to strengthen democracy, increase economic opportunity, and protect human rights. Every year since 2002, we have gathered at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to recognize women who are social entrepreneurs, political representatives, businesswomen, human rights defenders and civil society advocates.
This year 2012, Rosana Hungerpiller Schaack is awarded the distinguished Human Rights Award for her efforts in human rights initiatives in Liberia.
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