MONROVIA – The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has rejected claims made in a recent investigative article alleging that the Ministry’s own sources estimate the number of sex workers in Monrovia is three times higher than official figures, including children as young as 11 entering the trade.
In a firm rebuttal issued late Tuesday, the Ministry denied providing any confidential data or official sources to journalist Phillibert S. Brown, author of the article titled “DAYLIGHT FOR SALE: LIBERIA’S ONLINE PROSTITUTION BOOM AND THE MINISTRY THAT WENT DARK,” which has been widely circulated on Facebook.
Brown’s article alleged that “the Ministry of Gender’s own sources put known sex workers at 1,822, but admit the real number is three times higher, with children as young as 11 entering the trade in Monrovia alone.”
The Ministry categorically rejected the assertion. “The Ministry did not release such information, nor did it provide any confidential data or official sources to Mr. Brown,” the statement read, adding that it “strongly rejects the false claims and misrepresentation” contained in the publication.
While acknowledging the serious social and economic challenges facing many young women and girls across Liberia, the Ministry described the suggestion that the Government has been inactive or indifferent to these issues as “unfair and misleading.” Contrary to the portrayal of a Ministry that has “gone dark,” officials highlighted several ongoing national programs aimed at addressing the root causes of vulnerability, including economic hardship—a key driver of exploitation.
Among the initiatives cited is the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) , under which 227 women-led enterprises have received grants and business support. According to the Ministry, this intervention has directly benefited 6,611 people, including 5,370 women, with more than US$708,967.50 disbursed nationwide. An additional US$350,000 in grants is expected to benefit over 3,000 more people.
The Ministry also pointed to the REALISE Project, which is supporting approximately 16,000 extremely poor and food-insecure households across Grand Bassa, River Cess, River Gee, and Grand Kru Counties. To date, 16,586 households have received cash transfers—surpassing the original target—enabling families to invest in agriculture, small businesses, and education.
Furthermore, several women-led NGOs accredited by the Ministry have initiated social protection awareness activities aimed at discouraging exploitation and harmful practices. In a direct appeal to Mr. Brown and other media practitioners, the Ministry urged a shift away from what it termed “blame games” and toward constructive advocacy and fact-based reporting.
“The media remains a powerful tool for social transformation and should be utilized to inspire hope, promote accountability, and support national efforts aimed at protecting, empowering, and uplifting women, children, and disadvantaged populations,” the statement said. The Ministry reiterated its full commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening social protection systems, and creating pathways to economic independence for women and children across Liberia.
