16 Days of Activism campaign: Liberia

This documentary illustrating the powerful way in which women in Liberia respond to sexual violence is another example of women breaking the silence. Talking to survivors, these dramatic pieces are used to spread awareness and inform the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Liberia.

The two Liberian Civil Wars (1989-1996 and 1999-2003), involving countries in the region, were spurred by a 1980 coup d’état, and claimed 250,000 lives (1 out of every 17 people). Rape and sexual violence were utilised as weapons of war, with women and girls often raped in front of families that were subsequently killed. Violence was also committed to a large extent against men. Thousands of girls and women were abducted to act as ‘sex slaves’, cook for militants, transport supplies, fight – untrained – on the battle front. Belonging to certain ethnic groups significantly heightened the risk of sexual violence.