National Press Statement on the increased number of Rape Cases in Liberia and Child Street Selling

National Press Release on the increased number of Rape cases and Child Street selling in Liberia. 

April 25, 2018

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, Children and young people from across the 15 political subdivisions of Liberia, fellow Liberians, one and all, in due fulfilment of my role as a national Child Rights Advocate and Former Speaker of the Liberian Children’s Parliament I have come to renew national call for parents and government along with its partners to strengthen efforts in ensuring the survival, protection, development and participation of all Liberian children. The best interest and overall welfare of every Liberian child remains my foremost agenda. 

I am troubled by the increase number of violation against Children around the Country. It has become an unquestionable reality that Liberian children are at high risk due to unsafe environments. On the streets and every corner of Liberia child Street selling has increased with many Liberian children as breadwinners for families as they risk their lives everyday between cars to sell petit commodities, cold water, and candy. Less has been done to protect Liberian Children when indeed our laws prohibits Child labour and violence against children. The Liberian Children’s Law states that: ‘’Being a child is a time for special care and help. Every child has the right to live a good life that will make her or him grow up well. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare shall work with other government ministries and county leaders, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to make sure the living conditions of children are safe, healthy, clean and good for them to grow.’’ The Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the child of 1924 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959 further states that "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth",. I encourage government to engender a concrete framework that will take children from the streets.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, over the past few years the number of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases have increased with children being the most victims. According to 2017 SGBV report from the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection accounts for One thousand six hundred eighty-five (1,685) cases of Sexual Gender Based Violence, of the total number of SGBV cases reported about One thousand eighty-two (1,082) 64.2% were children under the ages of 0-17years, which accounted for a significant portion of the rape figure reported in 2017. In 2016 1,413 SGBV cases were reported with about 1,555 SGBV cases being reported in 2015 respectively. These statistics are too alarming and I hope that it also provoke state-actors and policy-makers to push further in the interest of Liberian children. With the current increase in the wave of Rape cases in Liberia, I am seriously dishearten about the mass atrocities that are being continuously perpetrated against Liberian Children; no child must be allow to face such barbaric act.  The government of Liberia through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ministry of Justice must go beyond talking and bring Rape perpetrators to justice. We as a nation must take practical steps to ensure no child is abuse or left behind.

I condemn in the strongest term the alleged Rape case of an eleven (11) year-old girl involving Mr. Momodu Sirleaf a staff of Ministry of Health. I hereby call on the Ministry of Justice to ensure that Justice is serve to the little victim. Rape is a crime and perpetrators of Rape must be treated as one.

I am completely disappointed in the manner and form the Morais Waylee case was handled by the Liberian National Police and the Judiciary system of Liberia, today 13 year-old Raggie is yet to be found. What a shame, when we as a nation should be protecting Children, we are busy endangering their lives by being selective in the fights against Rape. I am intensely saddened by recent report of the dismissal of Morias Waylee case from the City Court. Morias Waylee is no different from all the alleged Rapists who cases have gone unresolved; it is my hope that 13 year-old Raggie will one day be found. Justice may be delay, it is just a matter of time it would never be denied.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, the Ministry of Justice owe us (the public) an explanation on the indefinite release of Varney Jersey allegedly accused of statutory raped (first degree felony) who was released on medical bail in recent weeks; what is the surety and criminal bond of Varney Jersey?  Let Justice be done to all! There are many other men merely accused of rape that are behind bars but has never gotten the chance to go through court trail due to the over-crowdedness of cases on the docket of Criminal Court E and Liberia slow judiciary proceedings for rape cases.  The Government of Liberia and its institutions must seek to improve the judiciary system of Liberia. The Government of Liberia must expand the jurisdiction of Criminal Court E to other Counties magisterial courts and increase the number of Judges at Criminal Court E to further fast track Rape cases around the Country.   The Judiciary System must be strengthen to ensure speedy and fair trial for both rape victims and perpetrators of Rape.

As we know, On Tuesday October 3, 2017 the Liberian Senate doing its 60^th day sitting of the 6^th session voted to amend the New Rape law of Liberia. The amendment recommended that an accused person on bail for the commission of the crime of Rape should report to the court on a monthly basis. That day was the saddest day of my life not only because of the Liberian senate decision but I feared for the lives of the many Children as victims of rape whom are yet to receive Justice like the late Ma-musu Fofana, Mamie Vick, 13 year-old Raggie who is yet to be found, Angel Togbah and many other Children and women agonized by sexual violence. Today, the statistics of Sexual Gender Based Violence cases have proven that Children are most victims of rape, we must take straighter measures to bring to justice who be perpetrators.

We as a nation have gone too far in the fight against Rape, we cannot afford to lose focus when the fight against Rape itself has just began.

Fellow Liberians, our problem in Liberia has never been the law it has been the lack of implementation and the ineffectiveness of the Judiciary system of Liberia. The

Failure of our government to improve the judiciary legal system has led to the amendment of the New Rape Law by the Liberian senate. Amending the Rape law by the Liberian senate was a complete weakness on the part of our lawmakers to fight against Rape, it proved nothing but shared selfishness of the senate that has the propensity to cripple our fight for a free and fair rape trial in Liberia.

Instead of impeding the rape law, we must work to improve our judiciary system, expand the jurisdiction of Criminal court E and increase the number of judges at Criminal Court E.

 It is my hope that the government will ensure that the Amendment of the New Rape Law is in the best interest of Liberian Children. We must hunt and search every length of Liberia to ensure perpetrators pay for their gruesome actions against children. Let it be made clear and known today that the children of Liberia are the only treasures we have and together we must protect them. I stand against the recent wave of mysterious deaths of children and Liberians. The government must take action.

Thank you for coming as we look forward to all actors working in the best interest of all Liberian children. 

Signed & Approved:

Satta F. Sheriff

National Child Rights Advocate

Former Speaker- Liberia Children’s Parliament

Executive Director Youth in Action for Peace and Empowerment (YAPE)

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This is our time to make a president (the slightly impossible but majority of the people president).

I think it was not the “You killed my ma, you killed my pa, I will vote for you" moment for Liberians, but rather, it was the "We will make history again. This is our time to make a president (the slightly impossible but majority of the people president)".

If education didn't make Liberia rise again, why not try a survivor of the impoverished Liberian system, a trailblazer, a beacon of hope for the underprivileged, a hero from zero childhood and an underserved family background.

The slums doesn't define a child's future, but the child perseverance and persistence eventually defines his/her destiny.

Education is just a systematic instructions of truth and possibilities that might guide the way to success; sometimes one needs something more than education to make the impossible possible.

For me, the 25th President of Liberia journey to the presidency has more lessons than it seems. For a moment it sounded like a fairytale but it is actually a true-tale.

Tribalism and religious bigotries must have no place in Liberia

Tribalism, racism, sexism, religious bigotry and other negative isms have had something in common with segregation and inequality.

Some of these negative statements on tribes and the ideologies of "one tribe is more Liberian than the other tribe" is not only divisive but has the propensity to promote tribal discrimination, conflict and influences false tribal-cultural superiority.

Instead of defending how proud you are to be a Mandingo because someone thinks differently of you or your tribal connection, remind them and yourself that there's no category of citizenship in the constitution/aliens and nationality law call "real Liberian or false Liberian". No one is more Liberian than you. We are all equal!! We are one!

For me, I blame those who insult Mandingos not because they are blinded by tribalism and intolerance neither do they know Liberian history outside of the American colonization Society (ACS) trend.

Again, forgive them (uninformed) because they were misinformed that Mandingos are foreigners. Carried away by the ACS and 1847 independence sentiments until we totally forgot those who lived here before the love of liberty brought us here. Sorry, sometimes some of them ignorantly consider all Muslims Mandingos; literally hate speeches.

I am proud to be a Mandingo, Kpelleh or any of the other tribes statement in a gathering where there are different tribes of people is very divisive and may provoke conflict. Tell the world how proud you are to be a Liberian and then we can discuss diversity with tolerance.

In my Unification voice, segregation must have no place in Liberia, we must unite, rebuild together, hold our tribes and religions together for the common good of our country.

When they call you foreigner because you are associated with the Mandingo tribe, refer them to Liberia history before 1822 and the slave trade in West Africa sister, do nothing brother but be positive; these talks won't change your country of nationality; deep down beyond hate we know that you are a Liberian. Don't become a tribelist because someone is blinded by bigotry, fear or tribalism. Show the difference!

What people say about you doesn't matter or change the fact that it wasn't your choice to be born you. What matter most is what you are now, what you will become, how many lives you continue to impact. One day, they are going to judge you by the content of your character, and your fight to ensure Liberia is better and equal for all.

Reacting to negative people will only make you negative. Never react to the oppressor like the oppressed; let the oppressor know that you are more intelligent and that you are the opposite of what he/she thinks about you.

We've come a long way as a country in reconciling our differences. Be the change you want to see; show the difference. Tribalism and religious bigotries must have no place in Liberia.

From child Activism to leading positive Change;Satta is breaking gender barriers and leading change for Liberian Children.

Meet Satta Sheriff an inspiring young woman breaking barriers and leading positive change for Liberian Children.

About Satta F. Sheriff

Satta F. Sheriff is a staunch Child Rights Advocate, first elected female Speaker of the Liberian Children’s Parliament and Executive Director of Youth in Action for Peace and Empowerment (YAPE) a children and youth driven NGO founded to advocate, promote, empower, and defend Liberian Children, girls and other vulnerable groups in society. Satta is currently a recognized member of the fifty (50) most impacting young females Leaders in Africa 2017 (One World Foundation).

Satta was born during the Liberian Civil War in the mountainous city of Bong, Fulmah District Bongmines; she started primary education at age six (6).

Growing up in a large family with both her parents uneducated and extremely poor, Satta drew enough strength and inspiration to defend the rights of children from her mother who was a victim of forced/Child Marriage. Satta life changing advocacy-journey started at age (9) when a 13 year-old girl was due to get marry to a thirty-nine year-old man in her community, Satta felt it was wrong; She soon engaged the girl parents and the community leader thus stopping the marriage.

Since age nine (9), Satta has been working to improve the living conditions of Children in Liberia while persistently defending and seeking justice for the rights of Children who are victims of abuse and violence. 

Satta Impacts

At age 13, Satta became a peer educator to create awareness on the effect of Stigma and discrimination on Children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS in Liberia. She led a team of over sixty (60) adolescent girls under the banner “Daughters of the Kings” educating teenagers on sexual reproductive health, sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, teenage pregnancy, Child abuse, Rape, the modes of transmission and preventive measures of HIV, STIs and STDs in Kakata City, Margibi County. Satta become a role model for many girls and soon she became a recognized agent of change in life skills education, educating girls on the importance of abstaining from sex, in fighting teenage pregnancy, and illiteracy thus eradicating poverty in Margibi County.

Since then, Satta has continue to organize rallies, Marches, symposiums and stakeholders engagements to fight for the rights of children which hold government officials accountable to children and girls in Liberia.

In early 2017, a 13 year-old was allegedly raped and impregnated by a lawmaker. Through Satta and others advocacy investigation was conducted, the lawmaker was arrested and his case was sent to court. 

In 2016, Satta co-founded the Joint Action Committee on Children (JACC) to advocate and protect children rights in Liberia. Through JACC; Satta championed a national Campaign and brought justice to the families of two Liberian minors (Alvin Moses & Ruben Paye) who were mysteriously killed in 2015.

Since 2016, Satta has consistently represented the Girls and Children of Liberia at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the African Union Headquarters on different occasions to defend Children and Girls rights international.

In early 2016, Satta was awarded the Diana Princess of Wales Active Campaigner Award for defending the rights of children and ensuring safe spaces for girls and children in Liberia.

In 2015, Satta was elected first female Speaker of the Liberian Children's Parliament by children from across Liberia fifteen (15) political subdivisions. As the official voice of Liberian Children, Satta made recommendations on behalf of children and represented the children of Liberia locally, nationally and internationally.  

Through Satta advocacy, she has given justice, mentored advocates, improved and impacted the lives of thousands of children and girls in Liberia. Her monthly mentorship program encourages and mode teenagers to become leaders, self-confident and bold for positive change. Satta has become a face of persistent and true youth advocacy in Liberia inspiring many girls to feel confident, bold and powerful in raising their voices on national issues. In 2016. Satta was honored the most influential teenager Award in Liberia for her touch advocacy and stands on national issues.

In 2015 during the Ebola crisis in Liberia, Satta initiated a radio program called ‘’Kids and U’’ on Radio Joy Africa 97.5MHz in Kakata City, Margibi County to promote the rights of Children and to give children the Space to talk about issues affecting them in society. As a child then, Satta used the media to advocate while creating the space for other children to speak out, she continued to care and saved lives through her regular awareness on Ebola and its preventive measures on the show reaching out to over 15,000 children and parents during the entire crisis.

After Ebola, Satta also developed a project which eventually became a campaign titled ‘’Your Support, Our Future’’ to solicit assorted school items for orphans especially students affected by the Ebola virus Disease.

A tribute to Liberia 170th Independence Celebration

Happy Independence Day sweet land of Liberty (Liberia)

Mama Liberia, you allowed us declared your innocent, beautiful, naturally rich and fruitful surface an independent state 170 years ago. You have endure pain for us to enjoy, you in return inflicted Freedom and honored to our existence. You cry in silence and disappointment whenever we ungratefully call you a worthless nation. You deserve better Liberia.  You are resilient and strong, you have taught us to stand up, and to care for strangers. 170 years ago, you stood up as the first Black African Country in the continent of Africa. Mama, you gave us the chance to make history. Countries in Africa consulted you for independence; you became the light in the darkness in Africa. Through you, we guided Africans in the formation of the Organization of African Union (OAU) now African Union (AU).

Forgive us mama Liberia because among us thieves, rapist, greedy-persons, child rights abusers, violent and inconsistent individuals have developed; they’ve chosen to corrupt and imprison your integrity. They have printed this nation black to outsiders. Our systems doesn’t work because they have polluted and corrupted the system with truncated mentalities. You gave us a new-fangled land in 1822 but we have made the systems work dirty. Few people have decided to steal while majority of our people especially Liberian children live in extreme poverty.

Mama Liberia, you depend on us to look better, work better, produce better and to help other least develop countries shine. Sorry, we have placed you among the poorest countries in the world; you deserves better. The future (Children) deserves better. Things must change. Our attitude towards Liberia’s development must switched to being patriotic and nationalist. In all we do, Liberia must come first.  

Liberia cannot develop by itself because it is just an inorganic gadget and a piece of land. Liberia depend on you and me to look better, grind better, harvest better and to elevate our poor people from poverty to prosperity. Liberia will rise again only if we collectively and consciously work together for positive change.

For what I have noticed since I was a Kid, Liberia is such a kind, strong, and beautiful land. People can easily live here than any other African country. Liberia natural resources and Beauty attracts Billions. There are unlimited opportunities and possibilities in Liberia. Talents are in Liberia; Liberians are gifted as well.

Sweet Liberia, thank you. Today, I celebrate you. I am wholeheartedly grateful for the home you’ve given me. We celebrate you for a reason; we will always celebrate your existence and resilience.

Happy 170^th Birth anniversary Sweet mama Liberia.