Gender violence in and around schools is now widely recognized as a serious global phenomenon that is a fundamental violation of human rights and a major barrier to the realization of all children’s rights to education. Violence can be perpetrated by students or teachers in or around the school, or by out of school youth and/or adults who approach students on their way to and from school or demand sex in exchange for money or gifts. Acts of gender violence are disproportionately directed at girls, but boys and teachers can also be targets. Research carried out in 2012 highlights how school related gender based violence (SRGBV) is also a significant problem in Liberia for both female and male school students.
Being asked for transactional sex is a fairly common experience for Liberian school children with nearly a third of school girls and just over 17% of school boys reporting they had been asked for sex in return for being given money or help.
17% of female students and 14% of males reporting they have been asked for sex in return for goods like uniforms, food, or something similar.
“If you don’t do well in the test, the teachers will tell you to pay money, but you’ll have to take the money to their houses. When you get there with the money, they will insist that you sleep with them." - Girl student
Almost 18% of female and just over 13% of male students reported having been asked for sex to get a better grade.
New Kru Town, Monrovia, Liberia - June 4, 2014: Melvina Watson, a rape surviver, in her home in New Kru Town in Monrovia, Liberia. She was brutally raped by a man in Buchanon (several hours away by car). Afterwards, she spent a month in the hospital. The man was briefly arrested, but then he was released and threatend her and her family so her mother sent her to live with her aunt in Monrovia to keep her safe. Photo by Morgana Wingard
New Kru Town, Monrovia, Liberia - June 4, 2014: Martha Wieh, a rape survivor, in her home in New Kru Town in Monrovia, Liberia with her mother, Elizabeth Ponney. Photo by Morgana Wingard
Tubmanburg, Monrovia, Liberia - June 5, 2014: When Blessing was 4 months old, her mother, Bendu, was working on a farm in rural Liberia. One day she forgot something at home and left Blessing with a close friend at the farm. When she returned, Blessing would not stop crying. She couldn't figure out what was wrong. Eventually she took off her clothes and discovered bleeding. After an examination at the hospital, they determiend that she had been raped by the man. Blessing spent a month in the hospital recovering. Meanwhile, Bendu filed a report with the police and took him to court. He was released when the family provided evidence that he was underage at the time (approximately 17). Blessing is now 4 years old and lives with her mother and baby sister, Miatta. Photo by Morgana Wingard
Tubmanburg, Monrovia, Liberia - June 5, 2014: When Blessing was 4 months old, her mother, Bendu, was working on a farm in rural Liberia. One day she forgot something at home and left Blessing with a close friend at the farm. When she returned, Blessing would not stop crying. She couldn't figure out what was wrong. Eventually she took off her clothes and discovered bleeding. After an examination at the hospital, they determiend that she had been raped by the man. Blessing spent a month in the hospital recovering. Meanwhile, Bendu filed a report with the police and took him to court. He was released when the family provided evidence that he was underage at the time (approximately 17). Blessing is now 4 years old and lives with her mother and baby sister, Miatta. Photo by Morgana Wingard
