From Congo Town, Monrovia, Ms. Angeline Hawa Richards says she was abandoned by her family and left unprotected by state authorities after refusing to marry an older man chosen for her. She explains that her rejection exposed her to abuse, violent threats, and attacks from politically connected individuals.
Ms. Angeline Hawa Richards said her nightmare began in 2020 when her uncle arranged a forced marriage between her and a much older man. Richards refused, insisting she had the right to choose her own future. But her rejection was treated as an embarrassment, and her family disowned her.
“My refusal brought shame, and from that moment, my own family abandoned me,” she explained. “I was left without protection and completely vulnerable.”
With no support at home, Richards turned to youth advocacy. By 2023, she had joined a group of young campaigners speaking out against gender-based violence and corruption. The group organized awareness programs in schools and communities, urging women and girls to raise their voices.
Her activism, however, attracted dangerous enemies. Richards said men linked to local politicians confronted her after one campaign and warned her to stop. “They told me I would disappear like others who talk too much,” she recalled.
In early 2024, her fears became reality. While returning home from one of the group’s programs, Richards was attacked by unknown men. She was beaten so badly that she required hospitalization.
When she reported the case to the police, she was advised to remain silent. “The officers told me to stay quiet because the attackers were linked to influential authorities,” she recounted. “That was the moment I realized the government could not protect me.”
Frustrated and afraid, Richards reached out to Women Voices Newspaper, which published her story. But despite the public exposure, no action was taken to prevent further attacks or to investigate those responsible.
Liberia continues to struggle with some of the highest levels of gender-based violence in West Africa. Forced marriage, abuse, and political intimidation remain widespread, while survivors often face stigma, silence, or outright abandonment.
“I was beaten, threatened, and abandoned,” Richards said. “All because I refused a forced marriage and dared to speak against violence. Women in Liberia deserve better.”
Her case has drawn attention among rights defenders, who say her story is another stark reminder of how vulnerable women remain in the country. From Congo Town to rural villages, advocates continue to call on government and community leaders to strengthen protection for women and hold abusers accountable.
